A Hiding Place
Most of us over 50 years old remember Corrie Ten Boom's book, The Hiding Place. Corrie's family was plunged into the holocaust. An underground worker named Mr. Smit suggested they needed a hiding place. "What you need is a secret room in your home, in case the Gestapo raid your house looking for Jews. I will come and visit you to arrange it." The ten Boom house was a very old house, with all kinds of unexpected corners and spaces in it. The room was to be as high up as possible to give your people time to hide if the Gestapo came. They chose Corrie's own little room at the top of the house. They marked off a space about 75 centimeters from the end wall and built a very tiny room. It became their safe room.
My cat has a hiding place and it is not about fun and games. There is a mean black cat the lives in the neighborhood. A few months ago our cat, Peaches, came home with a chunk out of her back side. We took her to the vet and she said it was obvious that Peaches had been in a fight, but being smaller and slower than most cats she was running away from the fight when the other cat bit into her back side. Ouch! It took some time to heal and we kept her indoors. She is back outside now but we discovered that she now has a favorite retreat, a hiding place. It is under the deck close to the back door. There we have found her many a fearful night crouched in the darkest corner hidden from view of her predator, Mr. Black cat.
We all need a hiding place from the enemy. It needs to be as close to the Lord as possible. It is a place where you and the Lord have agree to meet in secret whenever the enemy comes in like a flood. Jesus called it a "prayer closet." What better retreat can we ask than a quiet, undisturbed place, far from the noise and pace, where God can soothe our troubled hearts.
Hiding In Thee
O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
So sinful, so weary, Thine, Thine, would I be;
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
Refrain
Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,”
I’m hiding in Thee.
"A Quiet Place"
"There is a quiet place, far from the rapid pace
where God can soothe my troubled mind.
Sheltered by tree and flower, there in my quiet hour
with Thee all cares are left behind.
Whether a garden small, or on a mountain tall,
new strength and courage there I find.
Then from this quiet place I go, prepared to face
a new day with love for all mankind."
(written by Ralph Carmichael)
Deuteronomy 5:22; 2 Samuel 22:12; Psalm 18:11-12, 27:5, 31:19-20, 46:10; Isaiah 45:3; Jeremiah 23:23-24; Jonah 1, 2; 2 Corinthians 10:13; Colossians 3:3.