In the shadow of the Titanic—the legendary unsinkable ship that sank in the Northern Atlantic claiming 1,500 lives—another oceanic catastrophe has claimed lives: the implosion of the Titan submersible, killing five. On a voyage to view the wreckage of the famed Titanic, the Titan caved in at a sea depth of 16,000 feet. Simply put: the sub could not withstand the pressure.
You don’t have to be miles under the ocean to experience the ravages of pressure. Life brings pressure—illnesses, heartaches, loses. What shelter can withstand the pressures of life? It’s a secret. Ironically, it’s a shadow, not just any shadow, but the “shadow of the Almighty” according to Psalm 91.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. Psalm 91:1-2
It’s a spiritual place, a shadowy place, but no ordinary shadow—the Shadow of God. Jewish scholars believe that Moses recited these words as he walked toward the Sadow on a mountain on fire. He survived the destruction to receive instruction. Here are some instructions from the Shadow to shelter you during dangerous depths of the pressures of life.
The Shadow requires trust. (vs. 1-2) Living in the not-so-secret secret place of protection of God calls for you to have confidence in Him. The psalmist paints the picture of God, the protector, as a shadow— a thin shield from the sun. Yet, God is also a military fortress, solid and strong. Trust Him to be both shadow and substance.
The Shadow comes in many forms. (vs. 3-9) Sheltering-in-place in the Shadow of God opens you up to many images that may register with you based on what He has shown you in creation. The shelter of God is a bird’s wing. Chicks can find no safer place (vs.3-4). The shelter of God is open 24-7, 365, day and night, noon and midnight. No curfew or closed for cleaning. The shelter of God is also a witness. You will see His salvation with your own eyes (v. 8).
The Shadow is a source of confidence. (vs. 9-10) Whatever form danger comes in, have confidence that the Shadow is bigger. Life will not be void of trouble, but you can rest assure you will not be a victim of it.
The Shadow is active with agents at His disposal to protect you. (vs. 11-13) God has angels available to you to protect you. They may be supernatural or nature, but their effect is the same. They keep you from falling wherever you walk. Your feet are sheltered from lions, dragons—oh my.
The Shadow is a relational shelter. (vs. 14-16) The Shadow is no hired bodyguard, but the Person who loves you and you should love, whose name you should know, a voice you can recognize. Love is at the heart of His salvation.
If Psalm 91 on the lips of Moses helped shelter him from harm, shelter-in-place with these words of the Shadow, “No plague will come near my dwelling." ( v.10). No matter how deep your pressures—illnesses, heartbreaks, losses—know this: when God is your shelter, you will surface.
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