“Resting in the Shadow”

Sunday March 6, 2022

Created by Reverend Dikiea Elery

Psalm 91:1–2 (NIV)

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

Devotion

This is a psalm that is near and dear to me. I’ve read it a thousand times, and I love it. It promises me protection. It reminds me that I am loved, and that if I choose to dwell in the shelter of the Most High God, I can rest in the shadow of the Almighty. That is comforting because the constant trials and stresses of life make me want to seek refuge. But as I read the psalm this time, something struck me about this idea of “resting in the shadow.” Normally, I wouldn’t be the type to want to rest in anyone’s shadow. And because of this, I have realized that I have many times misunderstood the gift of “resting in the shadow” as abandonment or lack of concern on the part of God. Sometimes in my despair and difficult times, I want God to respond, do something, give me a sign or act on my behalf. I now see that in those times, God is allowing me to rest. It is in those times that we must remember that “the shadow” is not a slight, it’s not abandonment. It is peace, it is rest. It’s not just any shadow, it’s the shadow of the Almighty. And God doesn’t just cast it over us but God allows us to rest in it. So, when we feel like God is absent, could it be that God is respecting the rest that God has given? Just as the Almighty was present with Jesus as He journeyed to the cross at Golgotha, God is here with us, keeping the promise to never leave us nor forsake us. And all we have to do is “Rest in the Shadow”.

Prayer

Dear Lord, Thank you for refuge. Give us peace as we rest in Your shadow, the shadow of The Almighty. In Jesus Name, Amen.