Dear Sheltered Ones,
Why Shelter?
After October 7, 2023, and especially during the 12-day war, between Israel and Iran, in June 2025, the images of bomb shelters that appeared on my television screen led me to ponder the concept of SHELTER.
Most Americans don’t have bomb shelters in their homes. It is not necessary. Not so in Israel. Bomb shelters, unfortunately, are a regular part of life for Israelis. I read a story on the internet last month in which a father of young children, who had made aliyah from the U.S. to Israel, explained that they had their new home constructed so that the children’s room was also their “safe room.” One of his children asked, “Dad, when you were growing up in America, was your bedroom also your safe room?” This father said the question broke his heart.
As believers in Messiah, we may not need physical shelters, but we certainly need spiritual ones. Spiritual enemies necessitate spiritual shelters. Whether we are aware of it or not, a spiritual ongoing war is continually being waged in the heavenlies. When the Messiah Yeshua said in John 16:33, “‘…In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world,'” He was referring to this spiritual war and the victory we have in Him. As we hide ourselves in Yeshua, He becomes our shelter in times of war (storms, tribulation, fear, etc.).
Another word for SHELTER in the Bible is REFUGE. While the word SHELTER appears 13 times in the NKJV of the Holy Scriptures, the word REFUGE occurs 60 times. It is interesting to note that all but one of the REFUGE verses appears in the Tanakh, Old Testament. The exception is Hebrews 6:18, “that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.” This “hope,” called an “anchor for the soul” in Hebrews 6:19, is the entrance to the Kodesh HaKodashim (Holy of Holies) made possible to us through the sacrificial blood of the Lamb of God, as well as the hope of eternal life in the Presence of God.
The “inner place,” “behind the curtain,” is where our New Covenant shelter lies. In Yeshua. Enter in. Pull the thick curtain behind you. You are safe in the Presence of the Lord.
God as Our Shelter
The God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob has always been a shelter or refuge for His people. King David, who often referred to God as his shelter or refuge, said in Psalm 61:3, “For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.” The Hebrew word for SHELTER in this verse is makhseh 
[makh-SEH]. While there appear to be a number of words for SHELTER or REFUGE, makhseh appears again in Joel 3:16, “The LORD also will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; the heavens and earth will shake; but the LORD will be a shelter [makhseh] for His people, and the strength of the children of Israel.” I am always amazed at the ways in which the Lord confirms His word. Last night, as I listened to a message by Jonathan Bernis at the annual MJAA Conference, I wrote down his main point: “We are in a time of shaking. Yes, Joel 3:16 is being fulfilled NOW.” We are in times of upheaval, change, trials, transitions, tests of faith, re-ordering priorities, also mentioned in Haggai 2:6-7, “For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little Dear Sheltered Ones, Lord of Hosts (Adonai Tzva’ot): You are with us in the fire, with us in the storm, with us as a Shelter. while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts.” The Desire of the Nations is Yeshua, the Messiah. A Shelter is needed in a time of shaking.
Makhseh, or a form of the noun, is used in verses where shelter is translated as refuge: “God is our refuge 
and strength [v’oz
] a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). The next verse is powerful: “Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (v.2). We do not have to succumb to the spirit of fear because God is our refuge (shelter) in times of trouble. We run toward love and hide there. Abide there.
King David exhorts us to continually seek the Lord as our refuge (shelter): “In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge , is in God” (Ps. 62:7)—spiritually, but it might also have been a cave at times (Tanakh bomb shelter). David continues, “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah” (Ps.62:8). It would not surprise me to find out that there are Israeli survivors of the Hamas tunnels of terror who survived quoting psalms such as these.
I heard about an interview conducted during the Israel/Iran war in which people from many countries were asked what portion of scripture they prayed for Israel or themselves when in real or perceived danger. It will probably come as no surprise to you to hear that the overwhelming answer was Psalm 91, especially verse one. Why? The psalm begins, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge [
makhsi] and my fortress, My God, in Him I will trust'” (Ps. 91:1-2). Sheltered protection.
I came across a commentary on Psalm 91:1 in one of my daily devotionals (God Calling by A.J. Russell) that spoke to me. Lord willing, it will speak to you as well. “Dwell there. Hidden in a sure place, known only to God and you. So secret that no power on earth can even find it. But, My beloved children, you must dwell therein. No fitful visit, a real abiding. Make it your home. Your dwelling place… When fears assail you, and cares trouble you, then it is because you have ventured out of that protecting shadow. Then, the one, the only thing to do is to creep back into the shelter again. So rest.” We must place ourselves under the protection of El Elyon!
Hashkiveinu
This is a Jewish prayer 
(pronounced hash-key-VAY-noo), said in the evening. It is a plea for God’s protection, peace, and shelter during the night. It is also a plea for restful sleep and a safe awakening the next morning. It has been said that the prayer asks God to spread the shelter of peace over us, guide us with good counsel, and shield and shelter us.
The Hebrew word hashkiveinu translates to “cause us to lie down in peace.” It’s a request for God’s presence and protection during sleep as well as a surrender to His will. The prayer has been set to music by various composers, including Leonard Bernstein.
There is a slight variation to the hashkiveinu prayer, depending on when it is said, but it begins with the words, “Cause us to lie down in peace, Adonai our God, and raise us up to life, our King (Protector), and spread over us the shelter of your peace…” (To hear this prayer sung, I suggest YouTube: Central Synagogue Congregation of N.Y.C.) A really nice lullaby!
The shelter of God’s peace, His shalom, is promised to us through Messiah the Sar Shalom, the Prince of Peace. Yeshua told us, “‘Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid'” (Jn. 14:27).
Shelters in Israel
which also means “refuge.” Other words are mamad 
, an acronym meaning a “protected space in a home” [(מ)merkhav (מ)mugan (ד)dirati], and merkhav magan, a “protected space.”Global Terror and Shelter
Many people in our country, including Bible believing Christians, do not understand the global threat of radical Islam. This evil ideology has as its goal the expansion and dominion of Islam throughout the entire world. Iran’s supreme leader, the Ayatollah Khamenei has clearly stated, over and over, his hatred for both Israel and the United States. The Grand Ayatollah, Makarem Shirazi, recently declared a fatwa against both Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump. What is a fatwa? It is a legal ruling on a point of Islamic law given by a qualified jurist. The Grand Ayatollah called Netanyahu and Trump “enemies of God.” He said, “It is necessary for all Muslims around the world to make these enemies regret their words and mistakes.” This is a call for violent jihad and a clear act of state-backed incitement to international terrorism.
It is believed that there are “sleeper cells” throughout our country. This is a present reality, but not a cause to fear. We are in an end-time spiritual battle between the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob and Allah and his demonic principalities, e.g., The Prince of Persia, the ruling spirit in Iran. Radical Muslims are striving to hasten the appearance of their messiah, “Imam Mahdi.” We know that he has already been defeated by the true Messiah, Yeshua of Nazareth, who disarmed principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them. (See Colossians 2:15.) The true Messiah is returning soon to catch His bride away. That needs to be our focus. Stay in your closet, getting your trousseau ready for the wedding.
What closet? The one where fear cannot touch you. Love. Bridal love. Set your mind, heart, and thoughts on things above. Look up, not around. Let love, the Bridegroom’s love, shelter you and cast out all fear. I wrote in one of my devotionals on the Song of Songs that the first time I was diagnosed with cancer, I retreated to my large walk-in closet and prayed in it for a few days, until I was able to overcome the spirit of fear. I emerged with the confession: “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You” (Ps. 56:3).
Yes, a dark alliance is probably forming right now between Russia, Iran, and Turkey [Iran is not going away]. Yes, the Ezekiel 38-39 war is going to happen. But, the Good News is something that Yeshua said to us in John 14:2-3, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
I look forward to the place that I believe Yeshua has prepared for me—a nice little cottage made entirely of seashells!
A Shelter for Children
When the Lord gave me the idea of creating “Righteous Rhymes” in 1983, and re-writing the traditional nursery rhymes with godly lyrics, I did not have children, but was teaching preschool. I sensed a call to touch little hearts for God. Thankfully, that has happened over the years as hundreds of children have been blessed by the teachings, with many receiving the gift of salvation as they prayed along with me. From cassette tape to CD, “Righteous Rhymes” has continued. When I became aware that many people, and most new cars, no longer have CD players, I wondered at the possibility of getting “Righteous Rhymes” on Spotify. That would give immediate access to children everywhere. While it would not be a source of income for Jewish Jewels, that was not a major concern—providing a source of “shelter” was.
Consider “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep – Have you any fear? No, sir. No, sir. God is near. He is the Shepherd who watches His sheep. He never slumbers, and He never sleeps.” After a children’s chorus sings with me, I give a little teaching about FREEDOM FROM FEAR.
Then there’s “Rock-A-Bye-Baby – Dry every tear. Someone in heaven thinks you are dear. God watches o’er you so you won’t fall. He’ll comfort and love you, each time you call.” The teaching is about GOD’S LOVING CARE and His big arms of love that support us.
Great News! As of August 2025, “Righteous Rhymes” can be found on Spotify, which means that a Jewish roots/Salvation message, for young children up to age seven, will now be available on such platforms as Apple Music, iTunes, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube Music, Pandora, Amazon, WeSing, and many more! This, for me, is an answered prayer. May the teachings of “Righteous Rhymes” result in many new little souls entering into the Kingdom of God.
The Wrong Shelter
For years I have been intrigued by the parable of Judges 9 where the trees went forth to anoint a king over them. After the olive tree declined to be their king, the fig tree declined to reign over them, and the vine did likewise; the trees went to the bramble. “And the bramble said to the trees, if in truth you anoint me as king over you, then come and take shelter in my shade; but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon!” (Jud. .9:15).
The parable has a deeper meaning than the choice of an ungodly murderer, Abimelech, as their ruler. The people of Israel had chosen Ba’al B’rit to be their god. They forgot Adonai, who had saved them from all their enemies (Judges 8:33-34) and took shelter under the shade of the thorn bush— the devil’s leader.
Israel did not want God to be their King, like so many people today, who submit to ungodly authority and worship the idols of fame, fortune, and followers. Where is their shelter in a time of storm? Ours is King Yeshua, our Safe Place. In Him, we have the shelter of the blood of the Lamb of God.
Praying for Shelter
“Dear Abba, thank You that, in Yeshua, I have a strong makhseh, shelter. Please help me draw closer to my Messiah, to abide in His love so that fear cannot overwhelm nor even find me. Like King David, I proclaim, ‘…You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living’ (Ps.142:5). I choose to make You King of my life, my Defense, and my Protector. I take refuge under Your wings and am grateful for the angels that watch over me. In Yeshua’s name. AMEN.”
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