“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty” Psalm 91:1.  What a verse.  What a promise.  This verse, actually the entire 91st Psalm has been brought, once again to the front of all of my thoughts.  I have, in the past, spent a lot of time in this Psalm.  Praying, meditating, and listening as God’s love for me encourages and brings me joy.  As I contemplate the depth of the love of our Lord for us as displayed within the first verse I am reminded of several images.

“…will abide in the shadow of the Almighty,” doesn’t that imply that we have to be under the covering of the Almighty?  When I think of a strong, majestic oak tree in the middle of a field I see strong, healthy branches and lots of leaves to protect whomever or whatever is sitting next to the trunk of the tree shelter and protection.  In order to experience the pleasures of the shade and it’s covering you have to purposely place yourself under its branches and leaves.  The safest most comfortable spot tends to be right near the trunk.  After all that is where the most shade and protection can be found.  Doesn’t it stand to reason then in order to remain under the covering or in the shade you have to stay there.

Just as this tree never changes its location or stature our Heavenly Father longs for us to run to Him and place ourselves under His never-changing Spirit, never-ending protection, never-failing Word, and never-ceasing forgiveness.  Once you have experienced God’s grace and mercy, His forgiveness and love why would you ever leave His presence?  Too often, in today’s society we don’t know what it means to dwell someplace.  To dwell can mean to live in or reside at a specified place.  It can also mean “to exist in a given place or state,” as in a state of joy.  However the Hebrew actually means “in the covert of” meaning “a covered place, a shelter or a hiding place.”

Our Abba, Father longs to be our shelter, our fortress, our hiding place.  When we are afraid or in danger, run to Him who is our protector and sustainer of our life.  He will deliver us out of the traps of life.  In order to enjoy the protection of the Father you have to place yourself under His authority; under His will and His reign.  Let it be said of me… “although he was in the midst of turmoil and strife He was at peace and had joy in his heart and his life because of His loving Father.”  My prayer for my family and me is that God will keep us close to His heart and in the center of His will.  Let us not stray from that path and Lord when I do, please pull me back into line.

Take a moment to look at your life and determine if your surroundings are of the Lord.  Is He your cover?  If not, why?  Have you moved out from under the canopy of His shade and protection?  When my relationship with Almighty God is out of sorts or messed up it is because I have made the decision to move away from God.  Remember the oak tree, God is the stable constant in my life.  When I find myself at a distance with God I know that I have moved.  This is when I have to take the step of faith and obedience, and yes, humility and ask God to forgive me for the decisions I have made.  The awesome thing is that God is there waiting to accept us back into His arms and under His shelter.

I pray that you will take time to evaluate your life and your current situations and ask God to reveal Himself to you.  When He does be ready and move to where He is.

Peace and Blessings to you all.

Pastor Isaac