It was the deadliest natural disaster in US history.
Fifty years before they started giving hurricanes names, this storm was called simply “The Great Galveston Hurricane.” It very nearly wiped the Texas town completely off the map.
It hit where it wasn’t supposed to. It changed directions when it wasn’t expected to. It did far more damage than was ever thought possible.
Back in September of 1900, there was none of the sophisticated tools of technology that help today’s meteorologists spot, anticipate, and track hurricanes long before they make landfall. The Great Galveston Hurricane was the storm that struck out of the blue—before many of those in its path could escape to safety—and somewhere between 6,000 and 12,000 souls perished in just a few hours.
It was the day when wild winds and waves, sea and rain, in one great act of rebellion, shook off their restraints and tried to recreate the chaos that existed before the world began. “In violent storms there is so much water in the air, and so much air in the water, that it becomes impossible to tell where the atmosphere stops and the sea begins. —William Van Dorn, as quoted in “The Perfect Storm.” As if the unbridled forces of nature COULD rebel and reverse the command of the Creator when He said, “Let there be a space between the waters” separating the water above the earth from the water on the earth.
I say “unbridled,” but not “uncontrolled,” for there is never a circumstance when GOD is not in complete control of the world He created. Never. God has allowed storms to rage over the face of the globe ever since The Beginning. They erupt as little glimpses of the chaos that He controlled by His Word on Day Two of Creation. Though they seem to appear from out of no where, they do have purpose. Storms do not occur because God is absent, as if the elements were like naughty children tearing up the house when Mom leaves. God is IN the storm—every one of them.
“These (storms) have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:7 NIV)
This is the point I’m making: God is IN every storm, but more importantly, God is there to be our SANCTUARY in every storm-trial of life.
While a “storm” may sound scary, the word “sanctuary” is a beautiful one. It describes a protected space—a place of safety in the middle of chaos. Sacred and set apart from the profane and ordinary—it is a consecrated, dedicated place to meet with and worship the One True GOD. Like another world within the world. We may not FEEL peace while the storm continues to rage around us, but we can KNOW we’re SAFE in His arms nonetheless. The beauty of the sanctuary is not often in what we FEEL, but in what we KNOW.
“The eternal God is thy refuge (SANCTUARY), and underneath ARE the everlasting arms.” (Deuteronomy 33:27 KJV)
However, a “sanctuary” in the spiritual sense must be BUILT—just as a storm shelter must first be constructed to be used. How is this spiritual safe place built? By frequently choosing the “better part” as Mary did (Luke 10:42). By spending time often, sitting at the feet of Jesus. By choosing to be “shut in with God, in a secret place; there in the Spirit, beholding His face.” Developing a close, intimate, one-on-one relationship with the Lover of our SOUL.
Just as a child will immediately run to the arms of their father in a time of danger, so should we. Our default response to the storms of life should first be to run to Jesus—in trust—again and again. By so doing, we lay a familiar path to our “strong habitation, whereunto (we) may continually resort.” (Psalm 71:3a KJV)
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy.” (Psalms 16:11a KJV)
Though we find joy in His “sanctuary,” it is not necessarily a place where we should feel all comfy-cozy. It is holy ground where a holy God is met—where the sandals of “self” are removed. Not where we feel pampered, but where He is worshipped. And in that place of reverent communion—the Sanctuary of His Presence—we are SAFE.
“God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken and slip into the heart of the seas; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its roaring … the LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower, our SANCTUARY]. Selah.” (Psalm 46:1-3, 7 AMP)
Prayer: “Dear LORD, right now, the tempest rages around me, but I KNOW that You are IN this with me. You have assigned a purpose for it. ‘Thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.’ (Psalm 71:3b) You are my Provider, my Protector, and my Peace. I have often found great comfort in KNOWING that You are my REFUGE—my SANCTUARY—until the storm passes by. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.”
