In the Shadow

Series: Flowers in the Desert

Psalm 91:1-2 ESV

We can choose to live in the shadow of the mighty hand of God.

We choose.

Psalm 91:1-2 tells us, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,    my God, in whom I trust.”

We choose to allow God to shelter us.

So…you might ask why we have to choose?

Why doesn’t God just do it?

It’s simple really. It’s because God gave us free will. God chose to give us the right to choose.

For one thing, God didn’t want us to be puppets who weren’t capable of growth and learning and making decisions.

But I think it’s more than that.

When children are very small and they are learning to make choices, it’s wonderful when they realize they made a good choice.

And…when their choice includes choosing to love that’s absolutely the greatest choice!

And so it is with God and His children.

When we choose to love and trust God enough that we want to stand in the shelter of the Almighty, there is great rejoicing in heaven.

When we tell God He is our refuge and no matter what happens we will put our trust in Him, it means we are letting God be our Papa.

Many of us who had a dad or a father figure remember what it was like when we were three or four years old and we had a papa take our hand and walk us across the street.

More than likely we didn’t question the safety of crossing the street with them because they were holding on tight.

We knew we were safe.

We knew everything would be alright.

That’s exactly what it’s like when we put our hand in God’s hand during a trial or a difficult time in life.

When that happens we do not know how long the trial will last. We do not know what we will face tomorrow. We do not often know what repercussions will follow, but when we put our hand into God’s hand we can breathe a sigh of relief because God has everything covered.

We do not even need to plan what to do next when we ask God to take care of all the details.

Someone once asked me how to do that…I honestly told them the first time it was a little like jumping into the deep end when you don’t know how to swim. I told them when we ask God for help, God will help.

I also told them the second time is easier, and the third time you just jump in without thinking about it.

Trusting God to be our fortress is hard because it’s counter-cultural. It goes against the cultural norm, but with practice we can do it!

Spiritual Practice: God’s Protection

Today’s desert flower, Hand of God in the illustration reminds us of God’s protection. Sit with God and experience that protection and care from Papa God.

In God, Deborah

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