“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).
Years ago, a small group including my brother and I were caught in a flash flood in which suddenly the roads were washed out within minutes. When the skies got dark and the winds picked up, most of us headed back to our dwelling and hid in the protection of the dry, sturdy walls. However, my brother had walked too far from our house and could not get back in time, thus, he was stranded to face the dangerous gusts of the storm. We spent three hours praying non-stop for his safety. We praised God when we saw him trudging through three feet of water to get back to our secure building.
We live in a world that resembles this fierce typhoon. Satan is engaged in a battle with us, pummeling us daily with a storm of lies, temptations, and stress. We daily face the challenges of a fallen world. The King of kings, the One who rules OVER all nations, angels, powers of darkness, the universe, and everyone in it can exert His power at any moment to accomplish His purpose. In Psalm 91, the Almighty says that His purpose is to be a place of safety from the enemy, and rest from the attackers of life.
In Psalm 91:1, we see God addressed in two ways: the Most High and the Almighty. The Most High (El Elyon) referred to “the highest, above all other rulers, either monarchs or angel-princes.” Almighty (El Shaddai) means “the most powerful.” (Definitions taken from The Strong’s Concordance). The Lord is addressed this way in situations where His people were being asked to trust Him in extremely tough circumstances: Abraham was told by the Almighty that at the age of 100, he would have a son; Abraham was instructed that through him all the nations of the world would be blessed; Naomi and Job called El Shaddai when they felt He brought upon them a difficult life of suffering.
Are you facing a difficult situation or person today? God wants to cover you with His feathers and hide you under His wings. His faithfulness will be your shield (see Psalm 91:4). The Lord Most High, Almighty God delivers you from fear as you claim Him to be your fortress and refuge.
- Sue Corl