The Shelter of the Most High
Reflection on Psalm 91
God gives us a very specific promise in Psalm 91 (one of my favorites because the psalmist uses two interesting metaphors for God's loving care), and it comes with a condition:
Protection is guaranteed for those who trust in God.
Many of our life experiences in which we feel unprotected are the result of our trusting in something or someone other than God. (Note: we're talking about times when we have a choice, NOT abuse of the vulnerable.) We have difficulty relying on someone we can't see, while the world around us offers empty promises of comfort from people and things we can see. However, the psalmist is clear:
"If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home." ~Psalm 91:9-10
Why, then, do we have such trouble? May I suggest reasons from my own experiences:
Earlier, I mentioned that this psalm uses two metaphors to help us picture God's protection: a tender, compassionate mother bird, and a strong, impenetrable fortress. A mother bird seems fragile herself, but she uses her own body to cover those under her wings. By contrast, a fortress may seem cold and sterile on the outside, but inside is comfort and security. Combine these two ideas, and you have a God who wraps His unfailing love around those who run to Him.
Since we're looking for a shelter for our SOUL, we're not talking about a physical place (though that could be part of it). We're talking about SOUL comfort and protection; the experience we long for from someone we can trust; feeling safe and loved; knowing everything is going to be OK.
How Do I Find My Way Into the Shelter?
God is literally everywhere. He's close at hand (Phil. 4:5), He's present with us (Josh. 1:9), He lives inside of us (1 Cor. 6:19). But for us to place ourselves in His care means that we have to call out to Him for help, and trust that He will deliver us. There are many paths to this place:
When we are fearful or hurting, we are tempted to reach for things we can see to fill a need only God can fill. In other words, we are guilty of making idols of created things which can no more help us than we can help ourselves:
God is the Only One who can help and heal. He wants to show up in your life to perpetually increase your faith! Since you can't see Him, you must look for evidence of His presence (John 3:8):
If you start looking for grace in all places, you're sure to "see" God's hand in your life! Once I started practicing this habit, I realized that miracles are all around me. God is calling us to trust Him and is showing Himself trustworthy all the time!
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©2022 Julianne Knapp. First published 10.25.22
God gives us a very specific promise in Psalm 91 (one of my favorites because the psalmist uses two interesting metaphors for God's loving care), and it comes with a condition:
Protection is guaranteed for those who trust in God.
Many of our life experiences in which we feel unprotected are the result of our trusting in something or someone other than God. (Note: we're talking about times when we have a choice, NOT abuse of the vulnerable.) We have difficulty relying on someone we can't see, while the world around us offers empty promises of comfort from people and things we can see. However, the psalmist is clear:
"If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home." ~Psalm 91:9-10
Why, then, do we have such trouble? May I suggest reasons from my own experiences:
- We don't know what it looks like to make God our shelter
- We seek shelter in the ways we've been taught
- We have our own definitions of "protection", so when we don't get what we expect, we doubt God's goodness
Earlier, I mentioned that this psalm uses two metaphors to help us picture God's protection: a tender, compassionate mother bird, and a strong, impenetrable fortress. A mother bird seems fragile herself, but she uses her own body to cover those under her wings. By contrast, a fortress may seem cold and sterile on the outside, but inside is comfort and security. Combine these two ideas, and you have a God who wraps His unfailing love around those who run to Him.
Since we're looking for a shelter for our SOUL, we're not talking about a physical place (though that could be part of it). We're talking about SOUL comfort and protection; the experience we long for from someone we can trust; feeling safe and loved; knowing everything is going to be OK.
How Do I Find My Way Into the Shelter?
God is literally everywhere. He's close at hand (Phil. 4:5), He's present with us (Josh. 1:9), He lives inside of us (1 Cor. 6:19). But for us to place ourselves in His care means that we have to call out to Him for help, and trust that He will deliver us. There are many paths to this place:
- Pray, or cry to Him (Jer. 33:3)
- Recite a passage that reminds you of His truth (Isa. 43:1-4)
- Preach the reality of His presence to yourself (Heb. 13:5)
- Watch for evidence that He's taking care of you
When we are fearful or hurting, we are tempted to reach for things we can see to fill a need only God can fill. In other words, we are guilty of making idols of created things which can no more help us than we can help ourselves:
- A spouse, a child, or other person
- Alcohol or drugs
- Pleasure and entertainment
- Unhealthy relationships
- Self-harm
- Medication
- Excessive shopping or stockpiling "stuff"
God is the Only One who can help and heal. He wants to show up in your life to perpetually increase your faith! Since you can't see Him, you must look for evidence of His presence (John 3:8):
- Beauty in creation, wildlife
- God's provision of your daily needs
- Kindness of someone in your life
- A nugget of truth on a billboard, greeting card, or devotional
- A song or a sermon that speaks to your heart
- A seeming "coincidence", or "divine appointment"
- God bringing someone into your life to help or befriend you
If you start looking for grace in all places, you're sure to "see" God's hand in your life! Once I started practicing this habit, I realized that miracles are all around me. God is calling us to trust Him and is showing Himself trustworthy all the time!
Subscribe to free weekly articles in your inbox HERE; your information will never be shared. :-)
©2022 Julianne Knapp. First published 10.25.22