Shadow of the Almighty

Psalm 91 - Study 4 - Shadow of the Almighty

We read in Psalm 91:1, He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (WEB)

As we continue this study on Psalm 91, we will explore the word ‘shadow’ as mentioned in Psalm 91:1. Those who live in hot places will understand the blessing of being in a shade rather than those who live in cooler climates. When walking in the blazing sunlight, the shade of a tree is most welcomed and appreciated as it is a source of great blessing.

Let us discover the blessings of resting in the shadow of our Almighty God.

Just imagine an eagle’s nest with young fledglings inside. The mother eagle has just gone to find some food for her young ones, when they encounter an impending danger from a predator. As the eaglets get flustered, the mother eagle gets back in time to hover over the nest. As the fledglings sense the shadow of their mother’s wings over them, their fears are allayed, and they are quietened.  The predator flees, and the eaglets are safely protected.

To understand how God protects His children let us read Isaiah 31:5, Just as a bird hovers over its nest to protect its young, so I, the LORD Almighty, will protect Jerusalem and defend it." (GNT)

This verse describes how the Lord Almighty will spread His wings over us so that we are secure under His shadow. When we are in the shadow of God, the Lord will defend us, protect us and deliver us from every kind of danger.

The church of God at large is facing arduous circumstances, but the Lord will surely come to liberate the church, and the people of God. Let us profess words of faith with confidence that the Lord is able to keep us from every harm.

1.      There is protection in the shadow of the Almighty

The Psalmist says in Psalm 57:1, Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed. (WEB)

David was being hunted down by King Saul. Saul’s only aim was to capture David, and have him killed.  The sole reason Saul was pursuing David was because of the intense jealousy that he felt towards David, though David had done him no wrong. As Saul chased after David relentlessly, David ran for his life, and hid in a cave. As David hid in the cave, Saul too came into the same cave, but David spared Saul’s life because he honored King Saul for being anointed by the Lord.

Under the shadow of God’s wings is divine protection, but it is up to us to stay within that protection or to walk away from it.  Just like David, let us also learn to be patient, and rest in the Lord.  In times of crisis may God grant us grace to not do that which is displeasing to Him. Just like David was hiding in a cave, all of us are confined to our homes, unable to move outside because of the dangers that are lurking all around us. Like David may we also take refuge in the shadow of God’s wings, for only there are we assured of being safe and protected. Setting aside our fears, let us be thankful to the Lord, and continue to praise Him for His presence and protection over our lives.

We also read in Psalms 17:8-9, Guard me as if I were the pupil in your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.Hide me from wicked people who violently attack me, from my deadly enemies who surround me. (GW)

The prayer of David should be our prayer too. Plead with God to keep us as the pupil of his eye, and to hide us under the shadow of His wings. When a mother hen with her chicks senses that there is an eagle hovering over them, she spreads her wings so that the chicks can find safety under her wings. So also, in this time when we are challenged with disasters, may we run into the safety of the shadow of God’s wings.

We also read in Isaiah 25:4, For You are a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from storm, a shadow from heat; because the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall. (LITV)

Here the prophet Isaiah spells out all those issues that afflict us; ruthless men, poverty, floods, storms and intense heat. God protects us from all of these calamities. He will be a stronghold to us, and a shadow from the heat of all these hardships that we encounter.

2.      In the shadow of the Almighty everything is made new

We read in Genesis 1:2,The earth was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep and God’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters. (WEB)

While the earth was formless and empty, the Spirit of the Lord was hovering over the surface of the waters to make everything new, and to set the entire created world in order. From nothing God was creating to make everything good and new.

When Pharaoh wanted to restrain the growth of the Israelites, he ordered that all the male babies two years old and under, be thrown into the Nile river. As Pharaoh carried out his evil schemes, he failed to understand that there was a God who was also working to counter-attack his evil plans. God is always able to change all that is evil for our good. Moses was born at that time of crisis simply because the Lord was doing something that would later blow Pharaoh’s mind.  The Lord can take any disaster, and turn it around to become something beautiful and new.

Instead of grumbling about the crisis that we are facing, and being disheartened about the inability to gather together to worship, let us be reminded that the Lord is doing something new in our midst. It is a fact that when the church of God is tried and tested, they will never diminish but will expand to be a greater force as God intended for us to be.

3.      In the shadow of the Almighty there is rest

We read in Psalm 91:1He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.(WEB)

In the above mentioned version it describes that there is rest in the shadow of the Almighty God. Ever since this problem of the epidemic began, so many are in turmoil that they have lost peace of mind. The Lord comforts us, that if we can come under the shadow of His wings, we will find rest for our souls.

We read in Psalm 62:5-6,Upon God alone, O my soul, rest peacefully; for my expectation is from him.  He only is my rock and my salvation; my high fortress: I shall not be moved. (Darby)

The Psalmist admonishes that his soul should rest peacefully in God alone. Instead of focussing our attention on God, if we fill our minds with the negative news and information from the world, we will most certainly become restless. Instead like the Psalmist let us turn our attention on God and let our expectation for deliverance be from Him alone. For God alone is our rock, our salvation and our high fortress.  When this is so, nothing will shake us, for we will be firmly set.

We read in Psalm 4:8,I fall asleep in peace the moment I lie down because you alone, O LORD, enable me to live securely. (GW)

The Psalmist talks about a peaceful sleep that God has blessed him with, only because he found his security in the Lord.

As children of God we are in difficult time, everything seems beyond our control, but, let us not lose heart. Let us also decide to come back to God and give Him the time, honor and glory that is due to Him alone. May we never make our busy schedules excuses for not spending time with God, His word, and being in fellowship with God’s people.

Paul says it this way in Philippians 4:6,Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. (GW)

There is no need for us to worry about anything, no matter what it is. This is God’s promise to us, and so we can rest assured. God wants us to instead to pray about everything, and present our requests to God with thanksgiving.  Let us decide to commit all our cares and worries to the Lord to find rest for our souls.

That is why the Lord Jesus encourages us with these words in Matthew 11:28,Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (NKJV)

The safest place for us to be in is the shadow of the Almighty.  In the shadow of God’s wings there is protection, in His shadow everything will be made new and in His shadow there is perfect rest for our souls.

Prayer:
Our Almighty God, we thank You for being so kind and good to us.  We fear loss of protection and rest at this time of challenge all over the world.  Please do help us to overcome.  We come under Your shadow.  We are grateful to You for all Your promises which are unchanging.  Keep us in the shadow of Your wings.  In the name of Lord Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

Br. Dixon
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Transcribed by : Sis. Esther Collins