Taking Shelter From The Storm
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” (Proverbs 30:5 NIV)
As my friend and I dashed from our cars into the coffee shop, I watched the big, black clouds roll into the sky, darkening the sun and threatening rain. As the thunder rumbled in the distance, fat raindrops fell on our heads, mirroring the tears rolling down my friend’s face. My plans for the day were quickly abandoned to comfort and listen to a friend in sorrow.
God calls us to love. Sometimes, we need to be an ear to listen and lift a burden, or a shoulder to cry on, sharing someone’s grief. Like the coffee shop sheltering us from the storm, God is a shield and protector from the storms of life. He makes many promises in his word, and we can trust him to fulfill those promises.
Will we still face storms, trials, sorrow, and grief? Undoubtedly. But we are not meant to bear these burdens alone. God has given us the Holy Spirit in His infinite wisdom, a divine comforter who is like a trusted friend. We are designed to live in a community, sharing our joys and sorrows with one another. The writer of this proverb passionately implores us to place our trust in God, calling us to humility and reminding us of the strength we find in reliance on a higher power.
“Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know!” (Proverbs 30:4 NIV)
In his insightful commentary, Matthew Henry interprets this verse as a prophetic reference to Jesus, the divine figure who descended from heaven to be our saviour and then ascended to heaven to be our advocate—a shield to those who take refuge in him, as mentioned in verse 5.
According to Alex Kirk of the Gospel Coalition, the list of rhetorical questions in verse 4 is humbling, similar to how God rebuked Job from the whirlwind (Job 38:4-5). He goes on to say that the overall theme of this chapter is the writer reviling pride and greed, warning against arrogance, and commending humility and contentment as attributes of followers of God.
So, my friend, shelter yourself in God and his word the next time you are in an emotional storm. Take refuge in knowing he is in control and has your best plan in mind, regardless of the thunder and the rain.
