“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Psalms 91:1 ESV
This is a verse on God’s protection. His protection can come in the form of a shelter or a shadow. When you think of a shelter, you visualise a fixed stationary facility with all round coverage against the heat and the cold and any form of intrusion. It stands solid, is unchanging and will always be there for all those who need to come under it for protection. It is physical – it applies to the protection of real physical needs we have – a health challenge, a relationship challenge, a financial challenge and any real-life situation you can name.
God’s protection can also come in the form of a shadow. Something not physical but you know it is there because you can feel the protective effect. God also protects us over issues that are not so physical. These include inner turmoil such as fear, depression, bitterness, anger, nervous breakdown or other emotional upsets that weigh down our human soul and spirit. When you come into His protective shadow, God will release His peace to cushion you off from the intensity of the inner turmoil. Phil 4:7 reads, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Shadow also changes its position. It does not mean that God’s protection is not consistent. Sometimes to appropriate God’s protection, we need to move with Him in the seasons of life. You move with His shadow. (He led Israel by the pillar of cloud and of fire in the wilderness). God may not want us to remain stationary sometimes but to move in a new milestone of our destiny. You may need to change a life style, kick off a habit, get into a fellowship with friends or fellow believers. So don’t stubbornly remain in the hot sun when God’s shadow moves and signal a need for movements in your life.
The word “Dwell” tells of a home – a sort of relationship. It is not a “touch-and-go” search for a cover in a shelter, like a bus stop. But it is to be a permanent dwelling place – a home where relationship exists and thrives! God wants to protect you as His sons & daughters in His house, not as random strangers at a bus stop.
Reflection Pointers:
- Do you realise God’s protection is always available for His children? Whether it is an external physical threat or an inner turmoil, come to His shelter or shadow and seek refuge.
- Protection is a “family” thing that a father will always give to his children. The more closely you relate to the Father, the more certain and confidence you are of His protection.