Hiding Place….!
Under the Shadow of the Almighty: Lessons from an Unexpected Storm
LATESTREFRESH
Vivek
6/12/20262 min read
Many years ago, my wife and I lived as a humble family on the outskirts of Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala. We owned no car and relied on public transport for all our journeys. One bright day in March, we travelled to the city on a bus to buy clothes for our children. It was a summer Sunday, and the sun blazed fiercely overhead. Yet as the bus moved along, the breeze through the open window offered a small relief, easing the heat and humidity for a while. The bus was crowded and slow, but after an hour we reached the city. We stepped down at the station, crossed the road, and made our way to a cloth store we often visited, a place known for affordable garments. As usual, it was filled with people.
After much searching, we found what we needed for our children. We paid the bill and stepped out of the store weary and spent. Before beginning our journey home, we thought of buying a few snacks for our boys and something cool for ourselves. But as we walked along the road, the weather began to change. Dark clouds gathered across the sky, the day grew dim, and the unmistakable scent of rain rose in the air. Then, without warning, it broke upon us. The rain fell with such force that each large drop struck like a bullet. Thunder rolled through the sky, and the dark clouds seemed to groan above us. It was a sudden downpour in the heart of a summer afternoon. My wife and I were caught in its fury and, within moments, drenched through.
Because it was not the rainy season, we had brought no umbrellas. So, we ran as fast as we could, searching desperately for shelter and trying to escape the lightning that tore across the sky. At last, we found refuge beneath the awning of a small shop. There, for a moment, we had found our hiding place.
So, it is with life. Trials often descend without warning and find us unprepared. Failure, disappointment, sickness, and sorrow can come like a sudden storm, darkening the day and shaking the heart. In such moments, we long for shelter, for comfort, for a place where the soul may rest in safety.
Yet a half-hidden life is no true refuge. To remain partly uncovered is still to remain vulnerable. Every part of our lives—our deeds, our needs, our words, and our walk—must be brought under the covering and guidance of the Word. The Lord Himself is our hiding place. In Him we find safety, peace, and the quiet assurance that the enemy cannot prevail against those who rest beneath His sheltering care.
“Thou art my hiding place and my shield.” Psalm 119:114