Can a corrupt throne-one that creates trouble by law-become your ally? They band together against the life of the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. But the LORD is my refuge; my God is the rock of my protection. He will pay them back for their sins and destroy them for their evil. The LORD our God will destroy them.   Psalm 94:16-23 HCSB

The term, “hung out to dry”, refers to being abandoned or left alone to face a particularly unpleasant or even frightening situation.  It also refers to being deserted in a troubling situation.

My husband and I took a trip to the beach last week and found ourselves in a situation where we literally were “hung out to dry” or perhaps I should say that we needed to be hung out to dry.  We were staying in Navarre Beach, FL which is about 30 minutes from Pensacola.  As we are both baseball fans, we decided to attend a minor league baseball game while we were there.  We went to the game, the skies were beautiful.  The weather was a little hot, but not too bad.  The game started and all was going well until the bottom of the 4th inning when a little drizzle started.  The bleachers emptied and everyone got up under the pavilions that housed the concession stands. The field was covered. Then the downpour came.  Certain that the game would have to be postponed, my husband and I decided to head to the car.  Now of course, we were parked about 3/10 of a mile away from the stadium.  So we struck out with it being what I would call a light rain.  As we began walking to our car, the bottom fell out.  This torrential downpour soaked us to the bone.  We had parked across the street from the stadium so as we crossed the street it was raining so hard that we could barely see.  We had an umbrella, in the car.  I had a rain poncho, in our hotel room.  So we walked around this parking lot attempting to find our car.  We literally had nowhere to go for shelter.  We walked around and soon found our car.  By then we were soaking wet.  Our shoes were squishing, socks soaked through.  We got into the car and began our 30 minute drive back to the hotel.  Our plans to stop at a little restaurant that we had spotted on the way were out the window and we opted for Sonic where we asked for extra, extra napkins.  Of course, we had a good laugh about our situation once we got in the car and were on our way, but for a minute there I was a bit concerned.  I can honestly say that I have never been in a situation where I was unable to find shelter of any kind.  Here we were in this big parking lot.  There were buildings there, but none that offered any shelter.  There was no shelter to be found.  Later I thought about our situation and I thought about those that are homeless.  What happens to them when the weather conditions are unbearable?  Perhaps they can find shelter in a rain storm, but what about freezing temperatures?  I certainly have a much deeper appreciation for shelter now.

This was a first for me and it caused me to think about something.  What about those that are not saved?  What about those that are not willing or perhaps have never been taught to call out to God for help in times of trouble?  This must be what it feels like to not have God as your refuge.  Psalm 91, begins with, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge, and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”

So I ask you today, when you are in a troubling situation, where do you seek shelter?  Do you have a fortress where you can find safety?  Do you have a refuge?  We are told that if we dwell in the shelter of the Most High that we will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  That little word, if, packs a lot of meaning.  We must choose to seek God as our refuge and our fortress.

We must continually make choices as Christians.  We must first choose to trust in God and follow Him.  Then we must continually choose to do what is right in His sight.  The devil tempts us each and every day.  But, we must remember one thing.  The devil is not there to be our refuge.  In times of trouble, he is happy to leave us hung out to dry.  The devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came that we may have life and have it in abundance (John 10:10). Jesus offers us shelter. He offers us life everlasting. He offers us peace that passes all understanding and unending joy, but He never forces us to take it. That is our choice.

If you have ever felt that someone left you hung out to dry, you know it’s not a good feeling.  You know that having a shelter that you can run to is a great comfort.  Having a shelter that we continually rest in is even better.  I pray for you today that you have already chosen to dwell in the shelter of the Most High and that you are comfortably resting in the shadow of the Almighty.  But, if you are not, you can still choose to do so.  Refuge, fortress, shelter, these are all good things.  I hope that you are taking full advantage of all the shelter and protection that God offers.

Have a great day!