Growing up in the 1960’s was interesting. It was a time of potential nuclear attack. In our small town of Hamburg (population 2,500), we had two “Official” Civil Defense shelters, the Post Office and the County Courthouse, that would shelter 200 people. This was the national strategy. Every community and school had a Civil Defense Plan with “Fallout Shelter” placards attached to buildings. States, cities, and schools had Civil Defense Coordinators…I know because I was a Coordinator at the Hamburg Public School. Several times a year we would practice the Civil Defense drill. When the alarm sounded, we pulled down the window shade (protect us from the flying glass) and got under our desk. This was supposed to protect us from the blast. We were to wait under our desk for further instructions. One of the leftover benefits of this era were the community sirens. The sirens installed to warn the community of nuclear attack now warn communities of weather dangers.

Threats are real. Threats are not new. It is common to hear people today say, “It’s never been this bad…we have never had such danger & etc.” …Wrong! Dangers, bad & evil have always lurked around God’s people. Bad things have happened…and will happen. So, where do you go when faced with the impossible…the threat of losing everything you love & cherish?

One of my “Go-To” places is Psalms. David knew danger & threats. God inspired him to write, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” Ps 20:7. Years later King Jehoshaphat was about to be overrun when he stood before his people and prayed this powerful prayer, “For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 10:12. This Principle, this Total Focus on the Lord, was a lesson Peter learned in Matthew 14. There was a terrible storm on the Sea of Galilee. The disciples, many professional fishermen, were in the boat and they were afraid. They thought they were going to die. Then…they saw Jesus walking on the water. Listen to the exchange between the disciples and Jesus as the storm raged. “When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:26-30 Don’t miss the key to this God School Lesson, Peter took his eyes off “The Authority”, Jesus. Now the rest of the story from verse 31, “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?””

My personal “go-to” verses are from John 10:27-30, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

The bottom line…”the No-Matter-What!” is I have true shelter and unfailing refuge in Creator God’s hand. Do you? Do you know His voice? You can have this certainty. He’s at the door of your heart right now (Rev 3:20). Just call out His Name, Jesus, Jesus, I need you!”