Good morning to you my precious family in Christ
Psalm 91:1-2 says “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
We may not always see this refuge, or feel it, we might forget it’s there at times, or even wonder if He's left us to fend for ourselves in the heat of hard situations of life. But God’s 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 as believers face today, God is the place of refuge we can run to, He is our safe place.
When life is hectic and there seems to be no time or place to rest, these words from these two verses are reassuring, comforting and encouraging. When things appear to be their worst, we tend to get a bit negative. Our natural tendency is to get down and miss out on what God may be doing in the situation we are facing.
When you/I find ourselves in these negative places, our goal should become that we reprogramme our minds off from being negative, and say of the Lord that He is my God in whom I trust, just as the writer of this Psalm did.
In these few verses there are four names for God: The Most High, The Almighty, The Lord, my God.
Just sharing one of them: The Most High, is the Hebrew word Elyon. It suggests a Supreme monarch, one who is elevated above all things. The name signifies God's majesty, sovereignty, and pre-eminence. It carries a connotation of a Davidic king that reigns above all other kings, and is first used in Scripture in Genesis 14:18, describing Abraham's encounter with the priest/king Melchizedek, "Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High." Melchizedek gives us a picture of Christ in several ways, and it is fitting that this story contains the first use of this name of God in Scripture.
In Psalm 91 verse 1 speaks to the protection of one who 'dwells in the shelter of the Most High,' and it causes us to ask where it is that we dwell. Do we dwell in our own self-doubt? Do we dwell in anger? Do we dwell in what could be or what could have been? Do we complain again about the Corona virus? Or do we dwell in the shelter of the Most
.0 High God, the Holy king of heaven who promises to protect and keep us?
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 must run to. It diminishes what we actually feel in the intensity of the heat.
We are reminded that especially in the difficult times, that we never walk alone. With the full heat of troubles bearing down hard, heavy on us, it’s a struggle to keep on walking through it all. Pressure and stress can seem as stifling as on a very hot summers day in Cape Town. Yet God whispers truth, which is strong and sure, “Walk in My shadow, up close to My side.” It’s in the safe place that brings confidence; for when we are resting in God’s shadow, we will never face “the full heat of our difficulties.” He shelters us from that pain. His shade, His shadow, diminishes what is actually 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 always in control.
Sometimes, maybe unintentionally, in the busyness or difficulties of living, we might strive to survive on our own. We forget that what we need most, God's protection and the comfort of His presence, are freely available to those who love Him and walk under His covering.
There is great blessing when we seek after God, and choose to walk in His ways. In the midst of great darkness in this world, by living in it all without His Truth and freedom, would be like wallowing in the pit with the pigs. There is not much hope to be found there. The truth is, this world has been dark for generations, since sin first entered the earth at the hiss of the enemy's lies.
Yet God's reminders are sure, strong, and true, assuring us that in all that we walk through in this journey, He reminds us that we're not alone. And though He never says that we won't face hard times, He does say He'll be with us in it, rescuing us, and shining His favour over us.
So my friends, do not ever doubt it. God works on behalf of those who love Him and honour 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.
This entire Psalm 91 is filled with the goodness and power of God. Great reminders that He faithfully works on behalf of those who love Him. And at the end of it all, God gives 8 reasons in verses 14-16 of why we do not have to fear.
He promises the believer that:
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, 1“I will rescue him; 2I will protect him, 3for he acknowledges my name. 4He will call on me, 5and I will answer him; 6I will be with him in trouble, 7I will deliver him and honour him. 8With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.”
So my friend, we can know that our God’s His ways are higher than our ways, yet we can speak to Him as a friend. What a privileged people we are. God is at the same time unsearchable yet so very near to us. In His shadow and in His shelter, we find strength, comfort, and rest for our souls.
Let us pray
"Dear Father God, Thank You for Your presence with us always, thank You for your Almighty Shadow. Thank You that You go before us, and cover us from behind. Thank You that You are in our midst, and that our future is secure in the place You're preparing for us.
Your words bring such hope and comfort. Remind us of your strength today and every day, may we see glimpses of Your glory and blessing along the way as we seek after You. For victory and salvation are found in You alone. Thank You that You are a Good, Good Father to us. We love You Lord.
In the Mighty Name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen
Much love and blessings from Maurice and Margaret
