Shelter 

Pastor Duck's Weekly Column 

Taiwan Church News 2660, February 23, 2003 

Translated by David Alexander 

Let me abide in your tent forever, 

find refuge under the shelter of your wings. (Psalm 61:4) 

   When she was little, Siao-mei's parents took her on a train trip to visit relatives in Kaohsiung.  Siao-mei was curious about many things she saw from the train window.  As the train approached Kaohsiung Station she pointed to some low buildings near the train-yard wall and asked, "What are those?"  Her mother answered, "bomb shelters in case there is an air raid."

   Siao-mei remembered those shelters as she grew up.  She does not fear air attacks from China, but she has many "shelters" in case of other kinds of attack.  She has become good at speaking so that no one can trick her with words.  She is intelligent so that no one can attack her with "reason".  She knows how to form alliances at the office where she works so she won't be isolated in case someone is unfair to her.  Based on the example of some politicians, she is also good at "putting on a show" and making a lot of noise to bring victory out of possible defeat. Siao-mei has many shelters.

   The Psalm writer felt he needed only one shelter, one that was not even his to take or to develop.  He asked to find refuge in the tent of the Lord, under the shelter of God's wings.  What place could be better?

   All around the world there are people worshiping false gods.  All around the church, there are Christians taking refuge in false shelters.

Prayer: Lord, let us abide in your tent forever, and find refuge under the shelter of your wings. AMEN