Dear Ones,
These are days of desperation for many. Tumultuous world conditions distress the minds of those who have found no place of safety and security. The economic situation is in chaos. Many trusting citizens have lost what they depended upon for economic security and social stability. Canada and the United States are on the verge of electing new government leaders, and the future for many is a big question mark.
In 1971 Corrie ten Boom published a book entitled “The Hiding Place.” It is the captivating story of her family in Holland during the turbulent times of the Second World War. Despite the risk of punishment and death, they joined the Dutch Resistance, helping Jews evade capture and almost certain death. They provided a hiding place in a “secret room” on the top story of their “crooked little Dutch house – one room wide” to protect their Jewish friends and neighbors from the Nazis who had occupied their country. (This “crooked little Dutch house” is now a museum in Haarlem, Holland, and pictures may be seen online at www.corrietenboom.nl/exhibits.htm )
The family paid a heavy price for their compassion and sacrifice. When the ten Booms were betrayed, they were plunged overnight into the brutality of Nazi Germany’s concentration camps. Father ten Boom died in prison, as did Corrie’s sister, Betsie. Corrie was miraculously saved (the result of a “clerical error”) from the fate of ninety-six thousand other women who died in the Ravensbruck Camp, undoubtedly because the Lord had a special ministry for her to fulfill. For 33 years following the war, Corrie ten Boom traveled ceaselessly, carrying her message of triumphant living all over the world. She was a colorful speaker, and the author of devotional books treasured by millions. She made her home in southern California until her death in 1983 at the age of 91.
I suspect that the title, The Hiding Place, was taken from the Scriptures, giving it a double meaning. Isaiah prophesied concerning the One who would be “as a Hiding Place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” The Psalmist sang about it: “You are my Hiding Place; You shall preserve me from trouble. You shall compass me about with songs of deliverance…..For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me…” (Isa. 32:2; Psalm 32:7; 27:5)
There are also contemporary songs inspired by the same theme, such as this one by Bryan Jeffery Leech:
“In a time of trouble, in a time forlorn, there is a hiding place where HOPE is born.
There is a hiding place, a strong protective space, where God provides the grace
to persevere, for nothing can remove us from the Father’s love;
though all may change, yet nothing changes here.
In a time of sorrow, in a time of grief, there is a hiding place to give relief.
“In a time of danger, when our faith is proved, there is a hiding place where we are loved. There is a hiding place, a strong protective space, where God provides the grace
to persevere, for nothing can remove us from the Father’s love;
though all may change, yet nothing changes here.
In a time of weakness, in a time of fear, there is a hiding place where God is near.”
The wise author of the Proverbs gives us a hint as to where that Hiding Place is for the child of God:- “The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and is safe.” The Name of Jesus is that wonderful name – “the only Name under heaven…whereby we must be saved.” “To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His Name, whoever believes in Him shall receive forgiveness of sins.” (Prov. 18:10; Acts 4:12; 10:43)
And an unknown poet has recognized this truth:
Within the Name of Jesus where peace and plenty lie,
I rest, securely sheltered - no evil can come nigh.
Within the Name of Jesus, from condemnation free,
He cancelled each and every sin that I might ransomed be.
Within the Name of Jesus His power and might are mine,
And Satan is a conquered foe by that great Power Divine.
Within the Name of Jesus, sheltered from every storm,
The Hiding Place of all who trust, from every false alarm.
Author Unknown
“Precious Hiding Place! Precious Hiding Place in the shelter of His love;
Not a doubt or fear since my Lord is near, and I’m sheltered in His love.
(From a hymn by Avis B. Christiansen)
“You are my Hiding Place and my shield; I HOPE in Your Word.”
(Ps. 119:114)
“Now the God of all HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE in the believing,
that you may abound in HOPE
through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
(Romans 15:13)
In Agape, Eulene
