“A storm is coming … Get in the basement!”

My brothers and I would gallop down the stairs heeding our mother’s command. We were running to the safest place in the house.

We would wait for hours … it seemed … until an authoritative voice on the radio announced the danger of inclement weather had expired.

What a relief! There would not be a severe thunderstorm in our vicinity.

We were cleared to return to our mischievous ways. Or most likely, go to bed.
We were fortunate. Blessed. Safe.

Fire drills. Tornado safety instructions. Thunderstorm protocols. First aid training. I learned and practiced these routines repeatedly in school, church and home.

I needed to know what to do … just in case.

I watched the news in wonderment as Hurricane Harvey and then Hurricane Irma threatened to wreak havoc in Texas and Florida.  Memories of Hurricane Katrina were unlocked in my mind.

The danger. The damage. The demise.

My heart ached. What will become of the people?

Oddly enough, I found encouragement on Facebook and Instagram. The people were preparing for the detrimental storms, but mostly the people were praying. Some evacuated. Some boarded their homes. But mostly, my friends were praying for safety.

Soon I would notice that many marked themselves “safe” on Facebook. My heart rejoiced. They are safe.

When storms are raging in your life, may you find solace in God’s sovereignty. He alone is our refuge, strength, fortress and strong tower.

I am safe. You are safe. We are safe … safe in the arms of the Lord.

Proverbs 18:10

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.

Job 11:18

You will be secure, because there is hope;
you will look about you and take your rest in safety.

Proverbs 1:33

But whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm.

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shieldswith fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

What does it mean to you to be safe in the arms of the Lord? Please share your thoughts in the comments section, I’d love to hear from you.