Shadow Of God Series

Shadow of the Almighty

We read in Psalm 91:1, He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (WEB)

As we continue this study on Psalm 91, we will explore the word ‘shadow’ as mentioned in Psalm 91:1. Those who live in hot places will understand the blessing of being in a shade rather than those who live in cooler climates. When walking in the blazing sunlight, the shade of a tree is most welcomed and appreciated as it is a source of great blessing.

Let us discover the blessings of resting in the shadow of our Almighty God.

Just imagine an eagle’s nest with young fledglings inside. The mother eagle has just gone to find some food for her young ones, when they encounter an impending danger from a predator. As the eaglets get flustered, the mother eagle gets back in time to hover over the nest. As the fledglings sense the shadow of their mother’s wings over them, their fears are allayed, and they are quietened. The predator flees, and the eaglets are safely protected.

To understand how God protects His children let us read Isaiah 31:5, Just as a bird hovers over its nest to protect its young, so I, the LORD Almighty, will protect Jerusalem and defend it." (GNT)

This verse describes how the Lord Almighty will spread His wings over us so that we are secure under His shadow. When we are in the shadow of God, the Lord will defend us, protect us and deliver us from every kind of danger.

The church of God at large is facing arduous circumstances, but the Lord will surely come to liberate the church, and the people of God. Let us profess words of faith with confidence that the Lord is able to keep us from every harm.

1. There is protection in the shadow of the Almighty

The Psalmist says in Psalm 57:1, Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed. (WEB)

David was being hunted down by King Saul. Saul’s only aim was to capture David, and have him killed. The sole reason Saul was pursuing David was because of the intense jealousy that he felt towards David, though David had done him no wrong. As Saul chased after David relentlessly, David ran for his life, and hid in a cave. As David hid in the cave, Saul too came into the same cave, but David spared Saul’s life because he honored King Saul for being anointed by the Lord.

Under the shadow of God’s wings is divine protection, but it is up to us to stay within that protection or to walk away from it. Just like David, let us also learn to be patient, and rest in the Lord. In times of crisis may God grant us grace to not do that which is displeasing to Him. Just like David was hiding in a cave, all of us are confined to our homes, unable to move outside because of the dangers that are lurking all around us. Like David may we also take refuge in the shadow of God’s wings, for only there are we assured of being safe and protected. Setting aside our fears, let us be thankful to the Lord, and continue to praise Him for His presence and protection over our lives.

We also read in Psalms 17:8-9, Guard me as if I were the pupil in your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.Hide me from wicked people who violently attack me, from my deadly enemies who surround me. (GW)

The prayer of David should be our prayer too. Plead with God to keep us as the pupil of his eye, and to hide us under the shadow of His wings. When a mother hen with her chicks senses that there is an eagle hovering over them, she spreads her wings so that the chicks can find safety under her wings. So also, in this time when we are challenged with disasters, may we run into the safety of the shadow of God’s wings.

We also read in Isaiah 25:4, For You are a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from storm, a shadow from heat; because the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall. (LITV)

Here the prophet Isaiah spells out all those issues that afflict us; ruthless men, poverty, floods, storms and intense heat. God protects us from all of these calamities. He will be a stronghold to us, and a shadow from the heat of all these hardships that we encounter.