“Do you see the signs? Can you hear the rumbles? Storm clouds are forming. A tempest is brewing. What do you have that will not withstand the imminent peril? What is false shelter in your life? The world is becoming wide-eyed with fear. All the safety nets in their lives are being destroyed. All their secure places are eroding. Their wisdom is proving to be false. The loves of their hearts are fickle at best.

"You, however, have a strong tower. You have a proven ally, an unbeatable advocate. His Name is Jesus! No weapon formed against Him can prosper. He is your place of safety. He is your proven friend. You can be assured that the wind is coming. The storms are on their way. Return to Him now with your whole heart. He is the reliable shelter from the imminent peril.”

Psalm 46:1 AMP

God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.

Matt. 5:11-12 NIV

11) “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

12) Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

All of mankind has a tendency to run and hide from storms. We find shelter to wait out any inconvenience. The kind of covering that is in Christ, however, is a shield that is designed to face the storm head on. It is a search and rescue power that seeks out the cowering masses and brings them to safety.

There is no question that many changes are taking place around us. Only those who have closed their eyes and ears out of ignorance or fear have missed the signs declaring the imminent peril on the horizon. By the same token, those who see what is coming and have chosen to hunker down for their own safety are equally as blind to the ways of God.

You and I are called to see and hear, so that we can prepare to put to use all for which we have been trained. When we see a time of peril, we should understand that we are entering into the finest hour of the work of the cross. It is the time when the cross takes on an eternal brilliance, when the character and integrity of Christ become shining examples to those wild with fear.

Those of us who are in Christ must run to Him when we see the storms forming. We must rest in His safety. We must prepare to weather the storm in His power. We must call upon Him for wisdom. We then must go in His Name and rescue those who are cowering in their vulnerable places. It is a time when what we have been taught will be proven to be true. It is a time when who we have been will no longer be seen and Who He is will come forth through us.

Teach me to walk under Your shield through the storm, Lord,

Jim Corbett