Verse of the Day 1/30

 

Psalm 91:1  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

We've been considering God's shade, protection and leading through the desert.  Keeping these thoughts in mind and then reading Psalm 91 the words "dwell", "abide", and shadow jump out at me.  Elsewhere in the Bible when we read of abiding and dwelling another word is sometimes used, it is remain.  In John 15 we have the vine and the branches.  The thought can be applied here as well.  Those that remain in Him, in hope, faith and trust will feel at home, will feel His presence, will experience His shadow or shade in those desert times.

 

I read the following quote from "The Lord of the Rings" and it reminded me of this. The great stories of the Bible and many of the great works of fiction are loved and held dear because the speak of and remind us of those who have persevered in faith.  J.R.R. Tolkien writes, "The brave things in the old tales and songs, .... I used to think that they were things the wonderful folk of the stories went out and looked for, because they wanted them, because they were exciting and life was a bit dull, a kind of sport, as you might say.  But that's not the way of it with the tales that really mattered, or the ones that stay in the mind.  Folk seem to have been just landed in them, usually — their paths were laid that way, as you put it.  But I expect they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn't.  And if they had, we shouldn't know, because they'd have been forgotten.  We hear about those as just went on — and not all to a good end, mind you; at least not to what folk inside a story and not outside it call a good end.  You know, coming home, and finding things all right, though not quite the same — like old Mr. Bilbo.  But those aren't always the best tales to hear, though they may be the best tales to get landed in!  I wonder what sort of a tale we've fallen into?'"     The Lord of the Rings (Boston, 1994), page 696.

 

Who knows what type of journey we may land in, find ourselves in?  It will be worth remembering, if we persevere through our deserts sheltered by the Almighty,  close enough to Him to remain and abide in His shade, His shadow.  After all, He is the author and finisher of our faith, of our story.

 

Hebrews 12:1-2  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,  (NKJV) 

 

Blessings,
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at http://www.mikesvotd.blogspot.com/

 

Psalm 91:1-13 (MSG) | Whole Chapter

91 ^1-13 You who sit down in the High God's presence,
    spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,
Say this: "God, you're my refuge.
    I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
    shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
    under them you're perfectly safe;
    his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
    not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
    not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
    drop like flies right and left,
    no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
    watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God's your refuge,
    the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
    harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
    to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
    their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
    and kick young lions and serpents from the path.