“God’s Shelter, Rest, and Refuge”

Posted on 22Mar CATEGORIES: General 3180

Directives to stay home and “shelter in place” are making their way across the country during the Coronavirus pandemic. A shelter is meant to provide protection from danger or harm. No matter what is threatening, we hope the shelter we choose will provide us protection. Many years ago, Psalm 91 became my favorite reminder of the kind of shelter you can only find in God. I was deployed to the Persian Gulf. I was physically fit, well-trained, and suited up in protective gear, but I knew better than to face a threat of any kind without the protection God provides!

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” –Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV)

These first two verses of Psalm 91 remind me that I can find “rest in the shadow of the Almighty”, praise God! And while I am resting, God is taking care of everything all around me! My faithful God is saving me from any danger that threatens me as a believer and from any deadly disease or plague. I won’t fall into any trap, and I won’t succumb to any pandemic, as long as I am in the shelter of the Most High God. That’s what Psalm 91 is telling me today. God is my refuge and my fortress! No matter how many deaths I read about happening in China or in Italy or even in the United States, Psalm 91 says “it will not come near you.” I pray for those who are suffering through this disease. I pray for those who are serving on the frontlines. I pray for mercy and grace, and I praise God for his shelter, rest, and refuge. You ought to do the same.

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways… –Psalm 91:9-11 (NIV)

Declare that the Lord is your refuge! Seek the Lord God and pray. I know God will answer. Trust that no harm will overtake you, because God has commanded his angels concerning you. Oh, glory to God! We are able to lean on the promises of God throughout scripture, because God has never failed to keep every one of his precious promises!

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” –Psalm 91:14-16 (NIV)

In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commands.” I love the Lord, and Psalm 91 tells me the Lord my God will rescue me and protect me in the midst of these very trying times. You must believe God will do the same for you! Psalm 91 is a reminder of the kind of rest, shelter, and refuge only God will provide, but we must trust Him. While these uncertain times can test your faith in a variety of ways, let me encourage you to remain faithful—seek God’s face, pray, repent as needed, and trust that God will keep his Word.

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“God’s Shelter, Rest, and Refuge”

“God’s Shelter, Rest, and Refuge”

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