MEDITATIONS FROM THE PSALMS

 

May 28 , 2008           

Reading:  Psalm 91:1-16

 

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” Psalm 91:1

 

This must be one of the most wonderful promises, if not the most wonderful, to be found in Holy Writ. To “abide under the Shadow of the Almighty” is surely the desire and cry of every one who has been made one with Christ. But is it? Is it possible for a redeemed soul to not desire such comfort and blessings? Does every true Christian even know what it means or are some satisfied with knowing God on a less intimate basis? Tragically, many who claim the name of Jesus Christ, are disciples who choose to follow afar off and whose lives continually grieve the Holy Spirit. Such Believers are sad Believers and are constantly under the chastising hand of God; the sad thing is that they do not know it.

There is more, much more, to salvation than being saved from the wrath of Almighty God because He has saved you by His grace. The Bible speaks of spiritual growth, abundant life, peace that passes all understanding, and abiding in Christ. Christ has a chamber into which He invites His Bride:

 

“The king has brought me into his chambers. We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine” Song of Songs 1:4.

 

“Sitting down in the august presence chamber where shines the mystic light of the Sheckinah, they (such persons) know what it is to be raised up together, and to be made to sit together with Christ in the heavenlies, and of them it is truly said that their conversation is in heaven” C.H. Spurgeon.

 

There is a special place of communion with Christ where he that continually seeks after God will do what Mary did—sit at the feet of Jesus learning as He spoke—Luke 10:39. Such a one wakes in the morning thinking of His Savior and remembers Him when he lays his head on the pillow to sleep.

 

“It is not he that conjures up one or two slight and fleeting acts of hope in Him, but the man that places in him an assiduous and constant confidence. In this way he establishes for himself in God by that full trust, a home, a dwelling place, a mansion, ...The Hebrew for he that dwelleth, is ‘yashab” that is, dwelling in quietude, and resting, enduring and remaining with constancy” Le Blanc.

 

To “abide under the shadow of the Almighty” means more than to do our duty by attending church on Sundays. To abide is to find that place of rest, confidence and communion and to remain there. This is the place to where God’s people are invited yet sadly few discover.

Only the High Priest was permitted to enter the Holiest Place while all others stood in the outer court and looked on. Only the High Priest, and that but once a year and but for a short time, entered God’s presence and communed with Him. But now, in Christ Jesus, the veil has been torn apart and every child of God is invited to abide under the shadow of His wings. The High Priest looked up and saw the wings of Cherubim, but you, child of God, can abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

 

“A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, and a cover from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land” Isaiah 32:2.

 

This Man is our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light” Psalm 36:7-9.