The opening verse of Psalm 91 catches my attention this morning. At first read, it seems to be talking about me and what I can do and the results which are a “no-brainer” and an “of course” sort of outcome. But chew on it a bit and, it seems to me, it really is about what God has graciously consented to be and of a promise which makes all the difference in how I enter my day.

It’s about dwelling and abiding. About deciding where to sit and then knowing with confidence where you’ll be situated. About choosing where you’ll remain and then resting in where you’ll be found. It’s about a shelter and a shadow.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

(Psalm 91:1 ESV)

Dwell in the shelter . . . abide in the shadow. That’s what I’m chewing on.

Like I said earlier, at first it seems like kind of an “well, yeah!” sort of redundancy. That it only makes sense that if you place yourself under cover that you’ll be covered. That if you set yourself under something, then that something will be over you. No brainer. Unless, of course, that “something” is the Most High. Unless that covering is Shaddai, the Almighty. Now you’ve got something to noodle on.

I can seek all I want, but if God has determined not to be found then so what? I can ask, but if He’s not listening, talk on. I can knock all day long, but if no ones answering then it’s a fruitless effort.

Likewise, while I might want to dwell in His shelter, while I might position myself to be found in the “secret place” (literal rendering), if He’s not prepared to be present and cast His shadow, then what’s the point? If He’s not unchanging and unmovable so that His shade is unfleeting, then what might be here today could be gone tomorrow.

But the promise is that for those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, they WILL abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

If we seek to hide ourselves in His hiding place, then we will remain in the shade of Shaddai.

Not that’s a promise to claim!

That’s the place to be found.

Amen?

A shelter accessed by His grace. A shadow enjoyed for His glory.