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A Shelter in the Time of Storm: Meditations on God and Trouble
Fifty-two meditations on Psalm 27 instruct and encourage believers to worship God through the ups and downs of life. Psalm 27 is a psalm of trouble and worship, of difficulty and beauty, of the evil of people against people, and of the mercy of God. Because of its honesty about life in this fallen world, Psalm 27 speaks into the life of every believer. At the same time it places joyful and self-sacrificing worship right next to the trouble that is the psalm's background theme. This juxtaposition makes Psalm 27 unique, interesting, practical, challenging, and encouraging. A Shelter in the Time of Storm takes readers through this roller-coaster-ride of a psalm in fifty-two brief and engaging meditations. These meditations are designed to fill hearts with a patient hope that grows stronger as the trouble-spotted days go by. Reflection questions at the end of the chapter make these meditations thought-provoking and practical.
160 pages, Paperback
First published March 26, 2009
136 people are currently reading
727 people want to read
About the author
Paul David Tripp
133 books1,418 followersPaul was born in Toledo, Ohio to Bob and Fae Tripp on November 12, 1950. Paul spent all of his growing years in Toledo until his college years when his parents moved to Southern California.
At Columbia Bible College from 1968-1972, (now Columbia International University) Paul majored in Bible and Christian Education. Although he had planned to be there for only two years and then to study journalism, Paul more and more felt like there was so much of the theology of Scripture that he did not understand, so he decided to go to seminary. Paul met Luella Jackson at College and they married in 1971. In 1971, Paul took his first pastoral position and has had a heart for the local church ever since. After college, Paul completed his Master of Divinity degree at the Reformed Episcopal Seminary (now known as Philadelphia Theological Seminary) in Philadelphia (1972-1975). It was during these days that Paul’s commitment to ministry solidified. After seminary, Paul was involved in planting a church in Scranton, Pennsylvania (1977-1987) where he also founded a Christian School. During the years in Scranton, Paul became involved in music, traveling with a band and writing worship songs. In Scranton, Paul became interested in biblical counseling and decided to enroll in the D.Min program in Biblical Counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Paul then became a faculty member of the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation (CCEF) and a lecturer in biblical counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Paul has also served as Visiting Professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
In 2009, Paul joined the faculty of Redeemer Seminary (daughter school of Westminster) in Dallas, Texas as Professor of Pastoral Life and Care.[1]
Beginning in June, 2006, Paul became the President of Paul Tripp Ministries, a non-profit organization, whose mission statement is "Connecting the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life." In addition to his current role as President of Paul Tripp Ministries, on January 1, 2007, Paul also became part of the pastoral staff at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA where he preached every Sunday evening and lead the Ministry to Center City through March, 2011 when he resigned due to the expanding time commitments needed at Paul Tripp Ministries.
Paul, Luella, and their four children moved to Philadelphia in 1987 and have lived there ever since. Paul is a prolific author and has written twelve books on Christian living which are sold internationally. Luella manages a large commercial art gallery in the city and Paul is very dedicated to painting as an avocation.[2] Paul’s driving passion is to help people understand how the gospel of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ really does speak with practical hope into all the things they will face in this broken world. Paul is a pastor with a pastor’s heart, a gifted speaker, his journey taking him all over the world, an author of numerous books on practical Christian living, and a man who is hopelessly in love with Luella.
At Columbia Bible College from 1968-1972, (now Columbia International University) Paul majored in Bible and Christian Education. Although he had planned to be there for only two years and then to study journalism, Paul more and more felt like there was so much of the theology of Scripture that he did not understand, so he decided to go to seminary. Paul met Luella Jackson at College and they married in 1971. In 1971, Paul took his first pastoral position and has had a heart for the local church ever since. After college, Paul completed his Master of Divinity degree at the Reformed Episcopal Seminary (now known as Philadelphia Theological Seminary) in Philadelphia (1972-1975). It was during these days that Paul’s commitment to ministry solidified. After seminary, Paul was involved in planting a church in Scranton, Pennsylvania (1977-1987) where he also founded a Christian School. During the years in Scranton, Paul became involved in music, traveling with a band and writing worship songs. In Scranton, Paul became interested in biblical counseling and decided to enroll in the D.Min program in Biblical Counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Paul then became a faculty member of the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation (CCEF) and a lecturer in biblical counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Paul has also served as Visiting Professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
In 2009, Paul joined the faculty of Redeemer Seminary (daughter school of Westminster) in Dallas, Texas as Professor of Pastoral Life and Care.[1]
Beginning in June, 2006, Paul became the President of Paul Tripp Ministries, a non-profit organization, whose mission statement is "Connecting the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life." In addition to his current role as President of Paul Tripp Ministries, on January 1, 2007, Paul also became part of the pastoral staff at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA where he preached every Sunday evening and lead the Ministry to Center City through March, 2011 when he resigned due to the expanding time commitments needed at Paul Tripp Ministries.
Paul, Luella, and their four children moved to Philadelphia in 1987 and have lived there ever since. Paul is a prolific author and has written twelve books on Christian living which are sold internationally. Luella manages a large commercial art gallery in the city and Paul is very dedicated to painting as an avocation.[2] Paul’s driving passion is to help people understand how the gospel of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ really does speak with practical hope into all the things they will face in this broken world. Paul is a pastor with a pastor’s heart, a gifted speaker, his journey taking him all over the world, an author of numerous books on practical Christian living, and a man who is hopelessly in love with Luella.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
January 27, 2020
Tripp's book of meditations on Psalm 27 is a great source of comfort in times of difficulty. I was repeatedly set at ease by the simple reminders that Tripp points out in the verses of this great psalm that God is in control over the trials in your life and that I don't have to feel anxious about being in control over my life. God is good, God is trustworthy, and God is powerful. This is the message that is made clear in Psalm 27 and what Tripp makes abundantly clear in his series of short stories, prayers, and poems. A great addition to your list of devotions to start your day.
June 3, 2019
I love how convicting and thought provoking this author is. I'm planning on buying a hard copy of this book because it will definitely be re-read!
April 18, 2025
I loved New Morning Mercies from this author, but this shorter devotional wasn't as impactful. Focusing solely on Psalm 27, Tripp writes 52 entries. There seemed to be too many meandering poems amidst the longer passages, and many felt like they were simply journal entires that weren't tied to the verse quoted from the psalm. Overall, not bad for a thought provoking devotional, but not much depth.
Format: Ebook, via Hoopla
Rating: 3 stars
Book 9 of 2025
Format: Ebook, via Hoopla
Rating: 3 stars
Book 9 of 2025
April 1, 2017
Soothing balm for an aching soul. This book was recommended to me by a friend during a really sad season of life for me. Tripp walks through Psalm 27 (in no particular order) and instead of a historical background, he meditates on David's woes and so beautifully and poetically cuts to the core and applies it to our lives. I used this book during my morning time with Jesus and it had such good conversation starters and prayers wrapped in it. I would recommend for anyone in a hard or sad or unwanted season.
June 2, 2020
This book was so helpful to me. It helped me look at my priorities and really think about how disordered some of them have been.
May 21, 2020
This books consists of 52 meditations on Psalm 27. Maybe it's because we are in the middle of a pandemic but I found every meditation deep and applicable to my life. I really liked the days it had the structure of a poem.
August 31, 2016
This is a great book on Psalm 27. Each of the chapters are only three (or so) pages each, reflecting on a different theme brought up throughout the Psalm. The theology is solid and Tripp is also a very gifted counselor and able to get to the “heart” of the passage (and the “heart” of the reader) really well.
November 1, 2014
I am a big fan of Tripp's. He has been a good mentor to me through his books. This book is a series of meditations on Psalm 27. I read it first as a devotional and second with my small group. I found it rich and deep and simple. Each meditation was both uplifting and thought provoking. It was good conversation starter for our group as well.
November 9, 2015
This is a book of meditations on Psalm 27. Tripp encourages us to trust God in and through times of trouble and to remember that He is faithful and that He will hold us up. Our circumstances do not determine our relationship to God.
I found the reminders in this book helpful and I appreciated the "Take a moment" questions at the end of each reading.
I found the reminders in this book helpful and I appreciated the "Take a moment" questions at the end of each reading.
May 24, 2010
There are a few thoughtful meditations within, but I think that Whiter Than Snow was far more focused and powerful. Good content, but I am still not much of a 'devotionals' guy.
May 27, 2010
Fantastic Book! It really made things click, and showed me that God is in control and we have a choice in our attitude towards the things God allows in our lives!
July 22, 2012
Great for daily devotions or very small groups-- leads to good sharing!
August 7, 2012
I love it...is a must read in my library.
August 2, 2014
A great set of devotions on Psalm 27. Tripp's mixture of poetry and prose is beautiful, comforting, wise and encouraging. Highly recommended for those in a season of difficulty.
June 14, 2020
I read this book of 52 devotional readings on Psalm 27 by Paul Tripp during the COVID-19 pandemic “stay at home” period, truly a time of storm in the world. I had previously enjoyed the author’s daily devotional New Morning Mercies.
The author tells us that the Psalms put difficulty and hope together in the tension of hardship and grace that is the life of everyone this side of eternity. Psalm 27 is a psalm of honesty and hope, it tells us that even in the middle of difficulties that we do not understand nor seem able to escape, we have reason to take heart and have hope. It is a psalm of worship, commitment, trouble, beauty, and patience.
He tells us that the hope of Psalm 27 is patient, and it grows stronger as it waits, because it is rooted in a daily consideration of the goodness of the Lord.
The book is not a commentary on Psalm 27. What the author has done is pulled out themes from Psalm 27 and assembled them into a picture of how to live with hope in God in a world that is fallen. Each reading, many of which are written as poetry, ends with a helpful “Take a Moment” section that includes two questions for the reader to apply the reading. The author’s hope is that these reflections will fill the reader’s heart with a patient hope that grows stronger as the trouble-spotted days go by.
Below are 20 of my favorite quotes from the book:
1. There is a God of awesome grace who meets his children in moments of darkness and difficulty. He is worth running to. He is worth waiting for. He brings rest when it seems like there is no rest to be found.
2. There’s not a day where you and yours are not protected by the most powerful, protective, and beneficial force in the universe—the grace of God.
3. You will only know the rest for which you seek when you begin to embrace the astounding reality of who you are as a child of God.
4. You are secure for one reason and one reason alone: God exists and he is your Father. He will never leave your side. He will never fail to provide. He will make good on everything he has promised. And he has the power to do so. He is Lord.
5. Every human being is on a quest for God; the problem is we don’t know that, and in our quest for stability, we attempt to stand on an endless catalog of God-replacements that end up sinking with us.
6. He is the Rock for which you are longing. He is the one who alone is able to give to you the sense that all is well.
7. He will supply for us every good thing that we need to be what he has called us to be, and to do what he has called us to do in the place where he has put us.
8. Prayer finds its hope not in the qualifications of the one praying, but in the character and plan of the God who is hearing.
9. When you rest in him, you can take heart because he really does have the power to deliver every-thing he has promised you.
10. God’s grace means that I can rest assured that I’ll have everything I need to be what he wants me to be and to do what he wants me to do in the situation in which he has placed me.
11. When I’m in difficulty and I take heart in the Lord, rather than be weakened by the difficulty, I grow stronger.
12. It is only when my life is shaped by a pursuit of God that I can live with a heart that is satisfied and at rest.
13. The reality of waiting is that it’s an expression of God’s goodness. He is wise and loving. His timing is always right, and his focus isn’t so much on what you will experience and enjoy, but on what you will become.
14. Here is what you and I have to understand: Jesus was willing to suffer the horrible rejection of his Father so that you and I would never, ever have to experience it ourselves.
15. Trust in God isn’t a thin hope in some not very sure outcome. Hope in God is rather a present investment in a future guarantee.
16. What God says will be done. What God has promised will come to pass.
17. He will never call us to do a task without giving us what we need to do it.
18. He has the power to protect you, and he has the grace to restore your soul. He gives strength to the weary and returns the joy of the broken.
19. The good that God promises me isn’t a situation, possession, position, or relationship. The good that he promises me is himself. What could possibly be a better gift than that?
20. Either you are living in pursuit of the creation or you are living in pursuit of the Creator.
The author tells us that the Psalms put difficulty and hope together in the tension of hardship and grace that is the life of everyone this side of eternity. Psalm 27 is a psalm of honesty and hope, it tells us that even in the middle of difficulties that we do not understand nor seem able to escape, we have reason to take heart and have hope. It is a psalm of worship, commitment, trouble, beauty, and patience.
He tells us that the hope of Psalm 27 is patient, and it grows stronger as it waits, because it is rooted in a daily consideration of the goodness of the Lord.
The book is not a commentary on Psalm 27. What the author has done is pulled out themes from Psalm 27 and assembled them into a picture of how to live with hope in God in a world that is fallen. Each reading, many of which are written as poetry, ends with a helpful “Take a Moment” section that includes two questions for the reader to apply the reading. The author’s hope is that these reflections will fill the reader’s heart with a patient hope that grows stronger as the trouble-spotted days go by.
Below are 20 of my favorite quotes from the book:
1. There is a God of awesome grace who meets his children in moments of darkness and difficulty. He is worth running to. He is worth waiting for. He brings rest when it seems like there is no rest to be found.
2. There’s not a day where you and yours are not protected by the most powerful, protective, and beneficial force in the universe—the grace of God.
3. You will only know the rest for which you seek when you begin to embrace the astounding reality of who you are as a child of God.
4. You are secure for one reason and one reason alone: God exists and he is your Father. He will never leave your side. He will never fail to provide. He will make good on everything he has promised. And he has the power to do so. He is Lord.
5. Every human being is on a quest for God; the problem is we don’t know that, and in our quest for stability, we attempt to stand on an endless catalog of God-replacements that end up sinking with us.
6. He is the Rock for which you are longing. He is the one who alone is able to give to you the sense that all is well.
7. He will supply for us every good thing that we need to be what he has called us to be, and to do what he has called us to do in the place where he has put us.
8. Prayer finds its hope not in the qualifications of the one praying, but in the character and plan of the God who is hearing.
9. When you rest in him, you can take heart because he really does have the power to deliver every-thing he has promised you.
10. God’s grace means that I can rest assured that I’ll have everything I need to be what he wants me to be and to do what he wants me to do in the situation in which he has placed me.
11. When I’m in difficulty and I take heart in the Lord, rather than be weakened by the difficulty, I grow stronger.
12. It is only when my life is shaped by a pursuit of God that I can live with a heart that is satisfied and at rest.
13. The reality of waiting is that it’s an expression of God’s goodness. He is wise and loving. His timing is always right, and his focus isn’t so much on what you will experience and enjoy, but on what you will become.
14. Here is what you and I have to understand: Jesus was willing to suffer the horrible rejection of his Father so that you and I would never, ever have to experience it ourselves.
15. Trust in God isn’t a thin hope in some not very sure outcome. Hope in God is rather a present investment in a future guarantee.
16. What God says will be done. What God has promised will come to pass.
17. He will never call us to do a task without giving us what we need to do it.
18. He has the power to protect you, and he has the grace to restore your soul. He gives strength to the weary and returns the joy of the broken.
19. The good that God promises me isn’t a situation, possession, position, or relationship. The good that he promises me is himself. What could possibly be a better gift than that?
20. Either you are living in pursuit of the creation or you are living in pursuit of the Creator.
February 25, 2020
BOOK REVIEW: 📚
First I picked up this book to read because I’ve had it for a long time yet never finished it so I decided to reread all unfinished books before I purchase anymore.
🤍First this book is not quite fitting for the moment in my life. I think it’s not just a digestion of Psalm 27 but also specifically aimed at those in trouble or suffering. Therefore it wasn’t as applicable for my current situation. But the breakdown and meditation on the psalm as a whole was a good part.
💙 I love how P.T. Calls to come to your senses and not just give in to pity when in a hard situation and he means bad bad situations like death of a loved one or sickness etc. not just a hard day. And I admired that because he says “you were meant to live for something bigger than yourself” and “to do one thing that we were created to do, live for His glory”.
💛 P. T. Helps understand how to go through difficult situations were placed into. And how Gods quietness is not rejection but in these quiet moments of waiting we are being changed.
✅ yes I would recommend to read this book. But for me maybe because I haven’t experienced many hardships at some moments I felt there was a little too much “small talk” and I didn’t find myself rushing back to this book wanting to read it. But you can sense the peaceful encouraging tone of the author. 👏🏼👍 @paultrippquotes #bookreview #psalm27
First I picked up this book to read because I’ve had it for a long time yet never finished it so I decided to reread all unfinished books before I purchase anymore.
🤍First this book is not quite fitting for the moment in my life. I think it’s not just a digestion of Psalm 27 but also specifically aimed at those in trouble or suffering. Therefore it wasn’t as applicable for my current situation. But the breakdown and meditation on the psalm as a whole was a good part.
💙 I love how P.T. Calls to come to your senses and not just give in to pity when in a hard situation and he means bad bad situations like death of a loved one or sickness etc. not just a hard day. And I admired that because he says “you were meant to live for something bigger than yourself” and “to do one thing that we were created to do, live for His glory”.
💛 P. T. Helps understand how to go through difficult situations were placed into. And how Gods quietness is not rejection but in these quiet moments of waiting we are being changed.
✅ yes I would recommend to read this book. But for me maybe because I haven’t experienced many hardships at some moments I felt there was a little too much “small talk” and I didn’t find myself rushing back to this book wanting to read it. But you can sense the peaceful encouraging tone of the author. 👏🏼👍 @paultrippquotes #bookreview #psalm27
April 20, 2020
This is a wonderful collection of meditations on Psalm 27 which I began reading as I was in hospital recovering from a serious brain trauma.
Time and again I felt that the author Paul Tripp writes from a position of knowledge and experience of times of trouble in life. The thought that kept coming into my mind was "he really gets me". In reality I know that it's God who "gets me" and he used this book to greatly help me to focus on him, my heavenly father, and on Jesus my saviour rather than on my circumstances.
Tripp goes again and again to what is happening in our heart, which is where the real problem lies in many areas of our lives. Rather than where we think the problem lies, in our external circumstances.
In one memorable meditation called "What is Your One Thing" I was helped to see the thing, or things, that I had been looking to to give me the happiness, satisfaction, contentment and peace in life which we all crave. Just to give you a clue, it wasn't my wonderful God and saviour. This is a great book, maybe you could read it before the storm comes?
Time and again I felt that the author Paul Tripp writes from a position of knowledge and experience of times of trouble in life. The thought that kept coming into my mind was "he really gets me". In reality I know that it's God who "gets me" and he used this book to greatly help me to focus on him, my heavenly father, and on Jesus my saviour rather than on my circumstances.
Tripp goes again and again to what is happening in our heart, which is where the real problem lies in many areas of our lives. Rather than where we think the problem lies, in our external circumstances.
In one memorable meditation called "What is Your One Thing" I was helped to see the thing, or things, that I had been looking to to give me the happiness, satisfaction, contentment and peace in life which we all crave. Just to give you a clue, it wasn't my wonderful God and saviour. This is a great book, maybe you could read it before the storm comes?
December 30, 2022
On the one hand, Psalm 27 is a favorite psalm of mine, and I really appreciated spending time reading and thinking about it each weekend this year. The author made good connections between the pieces of the psalm and various challenges in life, and the questions at the end of each meditation were sometimes good journaling prompts. On the other hand, this author tends to repeat himself, a lot, which got tedious even with a more spread out reading schedule. His attempts at modern poetry were also pretty bad for the most part. And did I mention he repeats the same ideas, repeatedly?
January 8, 2018
I really like Paul Tripp's writing. I told me daughter that he could publish a grocery list and I would probably buy it. This book was a pleasant walk through Psalm 27 and with poetry and prose Mr. Tripp hammered home for me some salient points regarding the cost of my salvation and my need to run to the Lord in all adverse situations. It was a good read for me and a nice change of pace after my battle with Chesterton's book.
Read
October 18, 2023Short devotional essays based on Psalm 27 ; interspersed with poetry / verse.
Key tenets here :
Foundation : God is light and salvation ( my light and salvation where applicable )
Focus : One thing have I asked of the LORD , that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, and to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple”.
Key tenets here :
Foundation : God is light and salvation ( my light and salvation where applicable )
Focus : One thing have I asked of the LORD , that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, and to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple”.
December 30, 2023
Nonfiction, devotional
I found this as an audiobook on Libby, and it was just perfect to listen to while feeding my bsby- the chapters are short enough to be easily listened to and they are thought-provoking. I especially enjoyed that each chapter ended with two questions to ponder.
I do recommend it and I would probably read it again.
I found this as an audiobook on Libby, and it was just perfect to listen to while feeding my bsby- the chapters are short enough to be easily listened to and they are thought-provoking. I especially enjoyed that each chapter ended with two questions to ponder.
I do recommend it and I would probably read it again.
October 16, 2025
A Shelter in the Time of Storm by Paul David Tripp is a quick daily read that you can use either for devotional time or just when you want something to read for a short bit of time. It gives great thoughts with Scripture on trials and other topics as well as poetry. I have sent copies to others who I felt could benefit from these meditations.
June 7, 2020
I love PDT. Always able to speak to the real questions of the heart. Im not huge into poetry but the intermittent poetry helps give the mind a reflective moment while processing the devotional parts. I would recommend this as a morning meditation to just about anyone.
December 27, 2021
A good weekly devotional loosely centered on Psalm 27. Some nice entries mixed with some less impactful weeks, most often the lesser being poetry. Overall a simple but fine collection used for Sunday reflections.
Read
December 3, 2023DNF
idk why but I literally could not finish this book. to be fair, I started it when I was really sick before my surgery and kinda forgot about it until recently, so I will prob try to read it again, consecutively this time, sometime in the future
idk why but I literally could not finish this book. to be fair, I started it when I was really sick before my surgery and kinda forgot about it until recently, so I will prob try to read it again, consecutively this time, sometime in the future
May 12, 2017
Deepen your hunger for the living Lord
The Lord satisfies and never disappoints as we draw near to Him. This devotional turned my heart to the Lord to seek His beauty and presence.
The Lord satisfies and never disappoints as we draw near to Him. This devotional turned my heart to the Lord to seek His beauty and presence.
November 22, 2018
Loved the emphasis on waiting as part of God's plan for us. Also, I vote Tripp writes a book consisting entirely of his poetry! 😍
January 20, 2019
Excellent! Deep and honest, this book is profound and centered on tuth. A good resource for anyone who has been or is going through a hard season.
March 15, 2019
Short, rich chapters. Poignant extraction of biblical principles. Favorite chapters: 49 and 21.
March 23, 2020
Just keep rereading!
Amazing psalm and book. Have recommended to many for comfort during hard times, but a great read at anytime. Thanks
Amazing psalm and book. Have recommended to many for comfort during hard times, but a great read at anytime. Thanks
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews