Lyrics
Verse 1
When the nations rage and death is at the door
When the wars are waged as they have been before
There’s a refuge that I run to
A respite from my fear
Nothing in this world can harm me here
Verse 2
When my song of hope is swallowed by the pain
As the weariness of grief floods in again
Will you find me in the valley
Oh hear my helpless cry
Hold me as a mother holds her child
Chorus
And I’ll take shelter
Take shelter in the loving arms of God
And I’ll take shelter
Take shelter in the loving arms of God
Verse 3
When a greater war had torn apart my soul
And the iron hold of sin would not let go
All of heaven stormed the darkness
In the power of the cross
I’m freed beneath the banner of His love
Chorus
And I’ll take shelter
Take shelter in the loving arms of God
And I’ll take shelter
Take shelter in the loving arms of God
Verse 4
When the labors of this fleeting life are done
As the shadows fall we’ll see the lights of home
And then all our present troubles
Will be stories of the past
Safe within His gates we’ll find our rest
Chorus
And I’ll take shelter
Take shelter in the loving arms of God
And I’ll take shelter
Take shelter in the loving arms of God
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
The lyric describes taking refuge in God during war, grief, and fear. The opening lines place the singer among raging nations and the threat of death, then name a refuge where "nothing in this world can harm me here." The second verse admits that hope can be "swallowed by the pain," and asks to be held "as a mother holds her child."
The third verse looks back at a greater war in the soul, where sin held tightly until the cross broke in: "All of heaven stormed the darkness." The final verse looks ahead to rest "within His gates," when present troubles become "stories of the past." The repeated chorus, "Take shelter in the loving arms of God," gives each stage the same answer.
The refuge language is close to Psalm 46:1, while the picture of God comforting like a mother resembles Isaiah 66:13. The cross imagery points to Colossians 2:15, where the victory of Christ over hostile powers is described.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 46:1 God is described as a refuge and present help in trouble.
- Isaiah 66:13 God promises comfort like a mother comforts her child.
- Colossians 2:15 Christ disarmed the powers and triumphed over them at the cross.