Nowhere in the Bible does it say that a Christian will not face many trials while journeying here below; but our promise is that we have a fortress where we may hide under the shadow of His wings. His word, his truth will be our shield and our buckler from all the fiery darts that might come our way. Could there be any safer place than to be protected by the Creator of the Universe who reigns sovereign over all the affairs of men?
Psalm 91: 1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday….
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
CS Lewis on pain has written.
"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world. A bad man, happy, is a man without the least inkling that his actions do not "answer", that they are not in accord with the laws of the universe . . .
Until the evil man find evil unmistakable present in his existence, in the form of pain, he is enclosed in illusion . . .
No doubt Pain as God’s megaphone is a terrible instrument: it may lead to final and unrepented rebellion. But it gives the only opportunity the bad man can have for amendment. It removes the veil; it plants the flag of truth within the fortress of a rebel soul."
So who’s fortress are you resting and dwelling in today? Is it the fortress of the rebel who runs from God, angry when trials come or do you trust God’s Sovereign Hand in your darkest hours, knowing His plan is best and thus hide yourself in Him and in His word of truth?