On the last day of training camp, our leaders informed us the next several weeks before launch would be the most challenging transition into the mission field. Man! where they right. I have been battling spiritually everyday facing obstacles such as lust, pride, fear, and greed. However, God is teaching me to rest in the Shadow of His Presence .
I came to the intersection a crosswalk where I met a little 6 year old boy. We trudged slowly across the street to the restaurant in the Alabama summer heat. Hot, humid, full sun bearing down. I noticed the little boy matching my steps, walking close by my side the entire walk. His little legs stretched out as far as they could to match my stride. He smiled up at me and said, “sir, look, I’m walking in your shade.” He found my shadow, the safe place to walk. My side was his shield, giving him protection from the heat.
This reminder came over me:
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1
We may not always see it or feel it. We might wonder if He’s left us to fend for ourselves in the heat of hard situations. But His protection is real. He doesn’t, He can’t, forget us or ignore us. If we belong to Him, His love is too great to leave us on our own.
In whatever troubles we face today, we can run to God, our the place of refuge.
He is our safe place.
The word “dwell” used in this verse actually means, “to take up permanent residence in.” He reminds us to stay in His presence, for it’s a permanent place of living. His Word says if we do that, we will “rest” in the very “shadow of the Almighty.”
Shadows by definition are a place of protection or covering, they provide relief from the direct heat of the sun. If the heat is severe, the shade is the place we run. It diminishes what we actually feel in the intensity of the heat.
Pressure and stress can seem as stifling as a hot afternoon summer sun, yet God whispers truth, strong and sure, “Walk in my shadow, up close to my side.”
When we are resting in the safe place of God’s shadow, we will never face the full heat of our difficulties. His shade, His shadow, diminishes what is felt in the intensity of all the heat. Rest, peace, and calm rise up strong, right in the struggling mess of life, and we’re assured, He’s in control.
In the busyness or difficulties of living, we might strive to survive on our own. We forget God’s protection and the comfort of His presence are freely available to those who love Him and walk under His covering. Psalm 91 is filled with the goodness and power of God, reminders He faithfully works on behalf of those who love Him.
God gives 8 reasons of why we do not have to fear.
He promises:
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16
What God says:
“I will rescue him” (deliver, cause to escape)
“I will protect him” (set him on a high place)
“I will answer him” (respond to, speak)
“I will be with him in trouble” (in afflictions, in distress)
“I will deliver him” (rescue, to bring into safety)
“and honor him” (to make rich, strong, heavy with honor)
“With long life will I satisfy him” (to have abundance in the journey)
“and show him my salvation.” (let him see my deliverance & victory)
God’s reminders are sure, strong, and true, assuring He’ll be with us in it, rescuing us, and shining His favor over us.
Don’t ever doubt it. God works on behalf of those who love Him and honor His name. He is so good to us. We may never fully know, this side of heaven, how very much He has sheltered us from in this life.
Is there an area of your life God is asking you to come and walk in the shelter of His Shade?
