The Invitation: During this world-wide pandemic, many of us have joined together in the daily reading and praying of Psalm 91. The first verse has taken root in my heart.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
–Psalm 91:1 (NIV)
For me, this has been an invitation to rest. I sense the Spirit of God saying, “Come, dwell in My shelter. Put your thoughts, your trust, and your hope in Me. If you choose to dwell in the shelter of My presence, you will find peace and rest.“
The invitation is not so much a physical dwelling place (although that helps), but an emotional and spiritual focus that keeps my mind at rest. A shelter of peace that is not threatened by the next newscast I hear. A dwelling place where there are endless opportunities to see God’s mercy and goodness at work.
We have been asked to shelter-in-place. As God’s children, let’s also shelter-in-peace.
Your Response: Thank you Lord, for the promise that if I dwell in the shelter of Your presence, I will find rest.
Is there somewhere else, other than Your presence, my mind has been dwelling? If so, what are the consequences?
Forgive me Lord, for the times I’m anxious and take my focus off of You. I choose now to dwell in Your shelter and rest in Your shadow. I want to shelter-in-peace. Show me what this looks like.
(Pause and experience what God has for you in this place.)
Thank you this phrase “shelter in peace.” My son and I were just discussing spending more time with God this morning. Forwarding this to him. Blessings, Judi G
Hi Judi, May we all be sheltering in peace during this season. Blessings to you and your son as you purposefully are choosing to spend more time with God today! Kathy B.
Jake and I are praying Psalm 91 before we go to bed. The Lord is using many verses in this word to reveal Himself, His ways. This time set apart is growing us up, elevating us to experience the “much more” of God. Oswald Chambers writes of this today. But it begins with seeking Him, coming under His shelter. Thanks for sharing this word today Kathy.
Carla, It’s wonderful to hear that you and Jake are praying Psalm 91 before going to bed. What a great way to prepare your minds for rest. I am glad that you are experiencing the “much more” of God during this time. There are so many opportunities during this season that we can grow and learn from. Thanks for sharing your journey. Blessings always, Kathy B.
I have been caught by the first verse too.. The passion translation says: When you sit enthroned under the shadow of Shaddai, you are hidden in the strength of God Most High. Reading this Psalm aloud each day. Thank you Kathy for your faithful loving encouragement.
Sue, Thank you for sharing the passion translation of this verse, it is so beautiful. I love the idea of being hidden in the strength of God Most High! Grateful to hear you have been reading this psalm aloud each day as well. Blessings always, Kathy B.
Kathy, your revelation about “sheltering” is perfect!
I have always found Psalm 91 to be the “Prayer of Protection” and God’s way of providing the instructions we need for times of crisis. I memorized it years ago, so that when troubles come I would have it in my heart. I can remember way back when all of the school shootings first started I really pressed in to the words, “a thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you” and would pray that over my daughter. I used it to pray with my residents when I was an assisted living administrator to assure them of God’s promise for a “long life” . What I love the most about Psalm 91 is that it is a psalm that needs to be declared out loud! “I will SAY of the Lord, that He is my refuge and my fortress! My God in whom I trust!”
Thanks Karen for your thoughtful reply. This is indeed a wonderful psalm to memorize. I agree with you that it is a psalm to declare out loud–“I will SAY of the Lord…” I know that my spirit is encouraged when I declare God’s promises out loud. Blessings, Kathy B.