Shelter in every storm

Last night we had dinner with Robin’s parents.  After dinner, as we were saying our goodbyes, we learned that her Dad’s PSA level has increased significantly over the past six months.  He has had prostate cancer for several years and this test result suggests that his cancer is progressing.  He will be meeting with his medical team this week and seeing what treatment options are available.

Later today we learned that my father was admitted to a hospital this morning and will be staying there for at least one night.  He was not feeling well, in a vague way, last night and into this morning.  So he went to the hospital where they checked a few things out and decided to keep him overnight for some more tests tomorrow.

Last night, in-between learning of these things about our fathers, Robin and I happened to read Psalm 46.  We are currently reading through the Psalms as we pray together each evening.  Psalm 46 seems to be the perfect biblical word to remind us, and our fathers, of what really keeps us secure, the perfect Shelter in every storm.   In verse 1 it opens:

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Verses 7 and 11 give identical affirmation of God’s power in the face of every threat, be it physical, emotional or spiritual, saying:

“The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

We love our fathers dearly but neither they, nor either of us, nor anyone else, will live forever in the sense that we know of life in this world right now.  But our fathers know their Savior and He promises to carry them through every storm of life, even the one that will one day end their earthly life, and into the joy of eternal life.

Martin Luther used the words of Psalm 46 as inspiration for his hymn A Mighty Fortress is Our God.  Here is a link to a version of the song, and a link to the lyrics if you would like to read as you listen.  And lastly, here is a link to Robin’s blog post today, with her thoughts after this news of our fathers.   

Our hope at all times is God, and only God, which Luther reminds us in closing his hymn with these words:

“Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; this body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.”

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.