Covert from the Tempest
Isaiah
32:2 (ESV)
Each
will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm (KJV says,
“covert from the tempest”), like streams of water in a dry place, like the
shade of a great rock in a weary land.
One of the reasons the
King James Version of scripture is difficult to understand is due to the
“King’s English” that was employed by the translators. For the most part, we do
not hear much use of words like “covert” or “tempest,” except maybe by poets.
This does not invalidate the truth that is contained in scripture. There are
hundreds of other translations that use our current vernacular.
Covert from the Tempest simply means, “Shelter from the Storm.”
This is such a great picture of the affect God has on our life. Jesus declared
that as long as we are in this world there would be tribulation.
John
16:33 (ESV)
“I
have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you
will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
The last part of that is
where we must place our faith. Jesus overcame through His death, burial,
resurrection, ascension, and seating at the right hand of the Father. Through
the Holy Spirit who was sent to us to indwell the Believer, we have the Peace
of God living inside us … forever! He will never leave. We are never alone!
When the storm comes He is our Shelter.
When my mother was
young, around twelve or thirteen, her home was struck by a tornado. Her life
was spared, but her mother and sister both died from injuries sustained in the
disaster. Because of this, she was never able to get beyond the fear of bad
weather. Any time there were storms nearby Mom would immediately take cover.
Even though I understood the basis of her fear, I did not have the same fear
because I had never gone through the terror that she survived.
Shortly after our
daughter was born we experienced a storm at our home in Cullman. Early on a
November Sunday I was awakened by strobe lightening and strong winds. I looked
out the window and decided to be cautious and take refuge in the basement. A
loud clap of thunder awakened our two boys, so I asked Martha to go get the
baby and let’s go downstairs.
Just about the time we
made it down there was a strong gust of wind and a loud crunching sound. In a
few minutes water began to drip through the floor above us. The power was still
on, so I decided to go kill the breaker to avoid the risk of electrocution.
When I got upstairs something caught my eye. In the small hallway between the
children’s bedrooms there was a limb protruding through the ceiling. I walked
toward it to get a better look when I noticed the back wall of the house had
been damaged by fallen trees.
I shut off the main
breaker, grabbed a flashlight, and headed back downstairs when I noticed
another limb right above the bed where my wife and I had been sleeping. The
whole experience was so surreal, but thought the ordeal I never experience
fear. I knew we would be safe, even before the storm hit.
We were displaced from
our home for about three months until all the repairs were completed. Our home
suffered damage but we did not.
Being in Covenant with
Father does not mean we will never have problems. However, the problems will
never have us! He is our peace. He is our Shelter
from the Storm.
Another place Isaiah
worded it this way:
Isaiah
25:4 (ESV)
For
you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his
distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; …
Let us take solace in
knowing that God is able to keep us in any circumstance. Regardless of what you
may be facing there is always hope in the Lord.
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