“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 NIV
With five children, 9 and under, we made the long vacation trip from Alabama to California in a conversion van. We tent camped most of the way and stayed in hotels a couple of times over the 11 day excursion. Our timing was off when we approached Yosemite National Park from the Nevada side. We pulled into our campsite in the dark around 2 a.m. Because of the lateness of the hour, we just slept in the van until sunrise. Oh, the beauty! At sunrise the majestic mountains and picturesque valleys came into full view. We followed the path in the dark to a most beautiful spot.
Psalm 91 speaks to those who are wandering through dark and uncertain times. The changing events are happening to you and not by you. The feeling of “out of control” is not just a passing thought, but it is a reality. The waves of the “next things” come at you from varying size and intensity. The merry-go-round doesn’t stop and is no longer a fun ride. You need to find a stopping point as a constant to get your bearings straight.
The Psalmist understands the impact of taking time to learn how to dwell with God. One of the benefits of dwelling is abiding rest. The root word for “rest” is “luwn” and pronounced like “loon”. It means to abide or stop and rest all night. Its nuance is finding a place to sleep and rest for the night. It is not just a lodging place, but a secure place to sleep for the whole night.
The most vulnerable point of attack is when you are asleep. Guards are very important for they are watching when you are not. If, however, you find a good hidden spot for resting, you will be safe and sleep easier.
The Psalmist found lodging in the shadow of the Almighty. For the moment he was safe and secure. He could find rest for his soul as the world around stopped spinning underneath the sovereignty of God.
May you connect with God today in a way that gives you peace. May you find rest for your weary soul. May your emotions calm down in the presence of God who is in charge of all things. May the beating of your heart be a little slower with the renewed confidence of knowing the King of the Universe is present with you.
May you wake up in the morning with new revelation of your surroundings as God has guided you to greener pastures and stiller waters. Receive abiding rest for your soul.
Blessings Love y’all