Psalm 91:1-2
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.”
What does it mean to dwell or shelter somewhere? When do you need to do this?
What is a fortress? What is a refuge? What images do these words bring to mind?
Reflect
From Pastor Chuck Swindoll, “God’s Protective Care” from Insight for Living’s Daily Devotional, March 27, 2018.
We must never forget that believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are not removed from the presence of wickedness. In fact, our Savior prayed specifically: “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15). While it’s difficult to understand the reason, God has planned that we continue to live in a hostile, wicked, non-Christian world system (kosmos). He deliberately did not remove us from an atmosphere of hostility. Instead, He has promised to preserve us through the conflict. He has made possible a plan of insulation, not isolation. God isn’t interested in our isolating ourselves, hidden away like hermits in a cave, but rather in our living courageously on the front lines, claiming His insulation amid an evil environment.
In order for us to enjoy the benefits of insulation, we must live in the light of Psalm 91, which uses analogy and metaphor to convey spiritual truths. The secret to survival is to “dwell in the shelter of the Most High,” to “abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”
The word “dwell” (Psalm 91:1) is translated from the Hebrew yashav, meaning “to remain, sit, abide.” The term conveys the idea of permanence. The verb “dwell” is used figuratively to mean “live in conscious fellowship with, draw daily strength from.” In the same way someone might “live off the land,” we are encouraged to draw our needs from God. This requires an attitude of continual awareness of the Lord’s presence and involvement. The idea is developed further with the term “shelter” in verse 1. This original word is sathar, meaning “cove, covert, secret hideaway.” A group of soldiers caught behind enemy lines need to find a place to rest that’s hidden from view and therefore safe from the enemy. The Lord is said to be our refuge, where we can find safety and rest.
To read the rest of Pastor Swindoll’s devotional: https://www.insight.org/resources/daily-devotional/individual/god-s-protective-care
Respond
How can you “dwell” with the Lord and take refuge in him? What might that mean practically speaking?
Spend time today with him in prayer, bringing him all your concerns and resting in his presence.
