Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust".... 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
This passage of scripture takes on a whole new meaning in the context of the dangerous times in which we live, when violence and senseless bloodshed have become the order of the day. The focus of the Christian is not merely to avoid all the perils of this life, but more so to be in harmony with The great God of heaven, who in turn gives us promises, instructions, and laws by which we can safely navigate the many spiritual and temporal problems with which we are assailed from time to time. But more and more, as the systems of this earth implode around us, it will become much more important for us to dwell under then shadow of the Almighty.
The current security systems we have in place are not sufficient to stop the spontaneous work and manifestations of evil spirits taking control of the hearts and minds of men, a fact which many intellectuals deny. As the laws of God are being trampled upon, and as the principles of righteousness are being kicked in the dust, the presence of The Holy Spirit is being gradually withdrawn from the earth, and as this process takes place, the inhabitants of earth are going to witness a corresponding upheaval in the spiritual and natural world that will cause most of us to shudder. The reports of what took place in the recent crash of the airliner in the French Alps is just a rude awakening to something much more sinister that is already on its way. Let's read:
2nd Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
It's only by living under the shadow of The Almighty that we can have any assurance of being shielded from the brute force of evil men, who are being goaded on to horrific acts of violence, by which many people are being taken down to Christ-less graves, and so the question for us is, "What does it mean to be living under the shadow of The Almighty?" The answer to this important question lies in our personal relationship with God, and the deliberate choice to serve Him, according to what is written in the scriptures, and also by the indwelling and guidance of His Holy Spirit. God must be made supreme in our hearts, and His word must have the preeminence in our decision processes, in order for us to live under His shadow.
This is what David did when he was being hunted like a wild beast by king Saul, who was bent on taking his life to preserve the throne. During those evil days, David learned the all-important lesson of depending on God for everything, and his experiences finds expression in many of the Psalms written during those years. Let's read:
Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
In our day when life has become so uncertain, and when human beings who Christ died for are not valued for what we are, it has become even more imperative that those of us who have entered into a covenant relationship with God, be found living under His shadow. Every morning, before the cares of life come down upon us, and every evening before we turn into bed, we should take some time to spend with our Creator, not only confessing and forsaking our sins, but also dwelling upon the righteous attributes of His perfect character, so that we too may be changed into His own image and likeness. Furthermore, it would be well if we can form the habit if conversing audibly with God throughout the day, for this has the effect of including God in our everyday activities, and it also has the effect driving away evil spirits, who are averse to our testimony.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to involve God in everything that we think, do or say, for its only by constant communion and submission to His perfect will that we can be found living under His shadow. Let's read:
Proverbs 3:1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His very word. God bless!