Shelter

Psalm 91:1-6 (NIV)

¹ He who 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."

³ Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

It's supposed to rain tonight in Douglasville.

This morning, the breeze is cool enough and humidity low enough that I can sit on my back patio and ponder the truth of Psalm 91 along with you.

But by tonight, it's supposed to rain. I plan to seek shelter.

We have that much sense, don't we? ...Enough to get in out of the rain.

I'm thankful to have a roof over my head, and if it rains tonight (or even if it doesn't), I plan to use it. Shelter is a good thing.

What about the needed spiritual shelter that God seeks to give his children?

I don't take advantage of that so easily. Usually, the rain of stress and turmoil has to get me pretty drenched before I take shelter. Learning to "dwell" and "rest" in the shadow of the Almighty is a worthy pursuit.

But there is so much to do today. There are a lot of people, with a lot of demands. Much depends on us. What if "x," "y," or "z" happens (or doesn't happen) at the wrong place and time?

All I know is that the most productive people I've ever met have had some deep down sense of core confidence and faith. Fear paralyzes, but shelter sustains.

Our covenant for today: When the "plague of midday" comes, we will remember that, "he is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."

Prayer: Father, may we live today in the "shelter of the most high." Please deliver us from the snares around us and use us for your works of grace.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen. Tomorrow's Scripture: Psalm 91: 14-16