While all eyes were on the tragedy of Afghanistan, a major fire raged in Israel last week. Ignited by Palestinian arsonist/terrorists, the fire was one of the largest in Israel’s history, and burned dangerously close to Eitanim, a psychiatric institution in the hills near Jerusalem.

Patients and staff watched as the fire roared toward them, with seemingly no way out. Unless rescuers could find a way, they were surely doomed to perish.

“No words can truly describe the disaster and the war we were actually in. All we could do at that moment was raise our hands to the sky and say, ‘God, save us.’ There was nothing we could do.”

~Staff member Amira Ibrahim, according to The Times of Israel

Suddenly, four police officers, risking their lives, broke through the flames and ordered the evacuation of the 150 remaining patients and staff. The picture above reveals charred acres of scorched earth all around that small hilltop facility, yet stopped just short of swallowing it up. Indeed, God provided a refuge in the middle of the firestorm!

You can read more about it here.

Friends, the Almighty God of the universe provides a refuge in your storms as well! The Psalms are filled with references to the Lord, our Refuge. Here are a few favorites:

“I love You, Lord, my strength.”
² The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my savior,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
³ I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies.

~Psalm 18:1-3

God is our refuge and strength,
A very ready help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth shakes
And the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
³ Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

~Psalm 46:1-3

⁵ My soul, wait in silence for God alone,
For my hope is from Him.
⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation,
My refuge; I will not be shaken.
⁷ My salvation and my glory rest on God;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
⁸ Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your hearts before Him;
God is a refuge for us.

~Psalm 62:5-8

No doubt, our world is shaking. Perhaps your personal world is shaking as well. Or maybe life is treating you well right now. Regardless, we are either living in the midst of trials, just came through trials, or are headed for trials! Trials will come, but Scripture reminds us that God alone is our refuge!

When fiery trials surround you, do as those hospital workers did: throw up your hands and say, “God save me!” When we are at our weakest, He is most fully our Refuge and Strength! (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)