Day 47 - Issue 26
Psalm 91:1 NLT
'Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.'
A shelter is temporary protection from danger or bad weather. There are times when this is the only place we can rest, knowing that danger will persist even as we emerge from our immediate shelter. I know that when disappointment strikes me, I often rage long before I rest. The source of my concern lies beyond my control and my body immediately becomes stressed. My flight and fight system kicks into action which means all the blood rushes to my muscles to equip me for the struggle. My brain fails to function well, starved of the oxygenated blood it requires to think logically, coolly and rationally.
God invites us to explore the possibility of living within his shelter every moment of our lives. Not that life will treat us well, but that we will navigate life simply by resting in God. There are many testimonies from the Church fathers of finding rest in God throughout the most momentous and tempestuous times. What is required is a recognition that outside of God there is only ever terror and destruction.
Learning to live in God in every circumstance is the work of prayer. This is the reason Paul encourages us all to ‘Pray without ceasing’ (1 Thessalonians 5:17, KJV). Yet, such an attitude towards prayer sounds inappropriate, if not impossible. I have found ways to address this in reminding myself as often as possible that I am in God. From when I draw the curtains each morning, praying aloud, “Lord, may your light and life shine into our hearts and home this day” to the moments I draw them at night, praying, “Lord, may you protect us from all darkness and confusion”, I pepper my day with prayer.
Although it is difficult, even painful, when something winds me up, challenges or frightens me, I walk around attempting to pray with various amounts of success, for I want to get back under the shadow of the Almighty just as soon as I can. I don’t want to vent, I want to rest in God’s love.
QUESTION: What strategies and tactics might you adopt purposefully to place yourself in the shelter of the Most High?
PRAYER: Lord, I will shelter, refuge and rest in your presence.
