Shelter

by Tom Michael – bass guitarist for Sonicflood

My great friend Scott Faircloff was writing the song “Shelter (You are my Refuge)” for our Cry Holy album and was generous enough to share the writing of it with me. As we were sitting in his living room talking about the song, we read the Bible together. Then we posed the question, “Shelter from what?” In this Bible study I would like to look at some obvious and not so obvious answers to that question.

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.” (Psalm 57:1)

Once I heard a story of a Christian who asked a person if they were saved. With all sincerity, their response was, “Saved from what?” While this may make us laugh because of their lack of experience with Christian terminology or make us cry because of their lack of knowledge of Christian theology, it is a question that all of us should be able to answer. I believe the Bible teaches that first and foremost we are saved from God Himself.

Romans 5:9 says, “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God.”

I believe this is sort of a pet peeve of mine. Once at a youth conference, I saw a dramatic sketch that attempted to portray Christ’s payment for the purchase of His people. A character representing “Jesus” paid a man representing “Satan” everything he had. At this point he took possession of the character symbolizing “God’s people,” having bought their freedom from the debt they owed. Though the actors intentions were sincere, this is not the gospel. A ransom was paid for all who put their faith in Christ, but it was not paid to the devil. The debt we owe or rather owed, was to God Himself.

Isaiah 53 says, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

In beautiful poetic language, Isaiah describes how the debt we owed for our iniquities against God the Father was satisfied by His punishing God the Son. I can’t help but think of the story of Moses on Mount Sinai and his desire to see God. Knowing that seeing Him would kill Moses, God hid Himself. But, like the old hymn “Rock of Ages” adds, it is the very Rock that was cleft or wounded for us that we hide in. More amazingly, we not only have Shelter from God, but reconciliation to God through union with Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!

In the middle of all the threats of terrorism, national economic struggles, domestic violence, etc., I would be foolish to not also discuss the fact that God is our shelter against the world’s evil. Pray daily for those fighting for peace in our world. Pray for our leaders. Pray for the missionaries overseas. This is the right thing to do. But after praying it is important to believe that God hears our prayers and is in control of the affairs of the world–that He is our Shelter.

And with that, remember Jesus said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28) See how Jesus Himself points to the need for shelter from the wrath of God rather than from the physical dangers of the world? This is our primary concern.

Thought/Discussion Questions:

1. What physical things do you desire shelter from?
2. Describe a time when God was your shelter in a time of need.
3. Describe an occasion when your parents or someone who loves you has paid a debt that you owed.
4. Write or describe your own skit that might better symbolize Christ’s satisfying God’s justice.
5. How do people who do not know Christ try to atone or pay for the guilt of their own sins?
6. In what ways does a terrorist try to atone for his sins? Is this an acceptable offering for their guilt?
7.  Since Christ is perfect and He is the offering for our sins, should we ever be afraid of God?
8. Since Christ is our shelter, how can we live out the gospel to innocent and helpless people?

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