Shelter

Do we realize, fellow believers in Christ, that we have a shelter, a covering, over us? And that shelter is portable, moveable, and even expandable? I don’t often think of it — but an experience this last weekend underlined that.

Mike and I were camping, in our “glamper,” our Alaska motorhome, for several days on the waterfront at Seward, Alaska. Parts of our family were camping there too. On our last day there, a family moved into the campsite next to us: a mother and father and two adult sons. Travelers from a faraway country, camping their way through Alaska and into Canada, with the father having plans to even continue on his motorcycle to the southern tip of South America.

It was a windy day! So in that site next to us at the campground, with our motorhome on one side, their camping-equipped Jeep on the other, and roadworthy motorcycle at the front, with their little dome tent in between. The best windbreak available at this windy shore.

And these people, here all the way from Israel. My heart went out to them the moment we met. They are from a place currently being hit with rockets. And they said they had encountered alot of hate toward them as they traveled in the US. I told them I was very sorry that they’d experienced that, and said, “We are Christians, and we care very much about you.”

I asked if we could pray for them. I had no idea about their personal beliefs, but they did very much welcome prayer. So we and our family, 9 of us, made a big circle of prayer with them, right there near their tent. We began with, “We recognize the blessing of Abraham is on you; and we join in with that blessing. We pray covering and protection over you, tonight as you camp and as you travel on tomorrow… In the name of Jesus. Amen.”

The sense of God’s presence with us was heavy and almost touchable as we prayed — like heaven was joining in on this. And afterward, more conversation and hugs all around. We exchanged some of our names; and from us, a book (True Strength for Tough Times) and some bear spray for their camping. And from them, some Israeli coffee, no doubt a precious commodity for their travels.

Neighbors — neighbors who care. We can be those neighbors, coming alongside ones of all different labels — but here was Israel, at our door.

The fierce wind continued through the day and through that night. Whitecaps on the waves near us, and howling gusts, all through the night. And while they slept, I looked out at their camp, right outside our door. I stood for awhile at my kitchen window and continued to pray for them. That palpable sense of His presence remained and even increased. It was a sense of covering — as if the awning on our motorhome (which wasn’t out, because of the wind) was literally over them, like a wing. And under it they were safe, under that wing.

Stretching from us on one side, and over their Jeep on the other; flanked with His own covering.

There was even a further sense: that our AK motorhome, picturing Alaska, stretched its arm of protection over… Israel. Oh wow. Sobering.

What an encounter, and what timing. And I thought, “Wait, does this ever happen??!!” Well, no — but in God’s planning, yes.

Psalm 91 came strongly to mind thought that night, especially verses 1-2 (here in English Standard Version): “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, "‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”

Ever since that notable day with those notable neighbors, a question has been coming to mind, for me and you too:

Do we know we have a covering, a shelter, over our lives? All because of His presence in us?

The covering, the shelter, of the LORD is over us — and it’s portable, it’s moveable, and it’s expandable. A shelter of protection over us and over others as well.

Seems a timely reminder!