"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my GOD and I am trusting HIM." Psalm 91:1-2
I love this passage. When I saw this photo of how the mommy bird was covering her chicks with her wings, it reminded once again of His invitation. "Let me be Your Shelter and Protector."
Jesus invites us to rest under the shelter of His wings, yet we refuse His protection and safety. Why is it so hard for us admit that we need Him to be our Shelter?
Matthew 23:37 NLT
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let me."
Saturday, as we watched my grandson, Bryce, play T-Ball, his sister, Jaycie, was obviously hot from standing under the sun. She didn't complain but I could see that she was uncomfortable. She needed a shade to lessen the effects of the hot sun. I told Jaycie to stand in front of me, in my shadow. My shadow would be her shade. So Jaycie stood in my shadow. Unfortunately, my shadow wasn't quite big enough to provide complete shade for Jaycie, but it did help a little.
After a while, Jaycie stepped out of my shadow, and moved back along side me again. I couldn't understand why she didn't just stay in the shade I provided. It reminded me of this passage from Matthew - "I would have gathered your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let me." How many times do I step out of His shade? How many times do I fail to seek relief from the "heat" of my day by simply stepping under His Wing?
Psalm 91 has been on my heart lately.It's the first thing that comes to my mind when I want to offer comfort to anyone who is struggling or suffering. I want to say "live in the shelter of
the Most High and you'll find rest". Just to say those words brings a sense
of peace over me. He is my safe place, my refuge.
A while back, a friend sent this beautiful photograph to me with a verse from Psalm 91.
“He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” Psalm 91:4
I believe God puts these words on my heart to remind me. He is telling me that He is my safe place and that HE will shelter me just like that momma bird shelters her babies. I hope that you can get the
same comfort that I have from meditating on Psalm 91. Read Psalm 91 and let every word speak to your heart. Every word in the bible is His Inspired Word - and He's speaking this Psalm, no probably singing this Psalm over you. He will be Your shelter - just let yourself live in that shelter of His Wing. Listen to the spiritual blessings He provides if we'll just accept His shelter.
He will rescue me from every trap, every deadly disease. He will cover me under the shelter of His Wings. I do not have to be afraid. He is my Protector from anything that would threaten me.
My understanding is so limited, so influenced by my human perspective. I sometimes fail to see God's Protection when bad things happen to good people. But His Protection is real, even in those times. How else can I explain a mom watching her son slowly slip away after months of terrible
suffering? God provides comfort and shelter - when nothing else can soothe her heart, God brings a Peace that we just can't comprehend in our human minds.
God is sheltering and protecting, giving us a safe place to be when the world seems to be crumbling around us. If we could just fathom how short our time on earth really is, even if we live to be 100! This is not our life! Our LIFE is with Christ in Heaven. The only way I can come close to understanding this is to look at my time on earth as a mission trip. Just like one goes to
another country to work in a mission field, I, too, am "visiting" earth. My time here is meant to help others, to love others, to tell others about my Savior.
Just like a missionary provides for physical needs, I need to lend a helping hand to those who are in need, i.e. widows, orphans, the homeless, the helpless... When I reach out in love to those people, they just might see Jesus through me. Then, I can tell them about the Hope they can have, too.
God is my Shelter. I will have struggles on earth. But HE will bring me through those times - even use those very struggles to draw me closer to Him or maybe to draw someone else closer. I am convinced that God doesn't allow anything in my life that He will not also provide everything I need to get through it. I believe everything He allows is first filtered through His amazing love for me, and that if He allows it, it can have purpose - good can come from my suffering. And while I go through those difficult times, He will protect my heart and give me peace.
Holy Father, thank You for being my Protector, my Safe Place, my Refuge.
You've told me there will be trials and sorrows in this life, but Jesus has
overcome this world. In Him, Your precious Son, I have hope, I have a future
that far outweighs any momentary suffering I may endure here. Thank You
for sending Jesus to be my Savior. Thank You for loving me even when I
am so unlovable. Please shelter me from the Evil One and hold me close.
I know that with You I can face anything this world sends my way. You
alone are my God and I am trusting in You.
In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
John 16:33
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
http://youtu.be/wKjj1EezGso - Psalm 91 - Sonicflood
Psalm 91
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
8 Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.
9 If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
11 For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
16 I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”
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