Battened Down

With another approaching thunderstorm, we knew our dog, Scout, who fears sudden and loud noises, would soon run to one of his safe go-to places: at our feet, in our lap, or under our bed. God’s children also know where to run when Satan roars his threats, wanting to paralyze the weak, insecure, and even those grounded in their faith—that one place where no one and nothing can move us—under God’s outstretched wings. He is our Protector and place of refuge (Psalm 91; 46:1).

My thoughts suddenly shifted from Scout’s fears to board and batten siding. Have you ever wondered how a house’s covering got such a name? I have, and I satisfied my curiosity. According to one of Webster’s Dictionary definitions, batten is a narrow strip of wood nailed across two other pieces to cover a crack; strengthen the parts. Then I thought of us being Scout’s batten. His fears cause a gap in his stability, but our soothing protection fortifies him, covering the rip.

“And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2

Fears, failings, difficulties, and crises can cause fissures—cracks in our faith. Spiritual gaps sometimes cause us to distance ourselves from our heavenly Father, making us vulnerable to outside forces. But Jesus laid His life down for us; His blood is the covering for every opening that separates us from God: His resurrection is our hope that we, too, will live again. When we surrender to His Lordship, God seals us with His presence. His Holy Spirit within us is His guarantee that we belong to Him and will spend eternity with Him (Eph 1:13–14). God’s grace has us securely battened down.