We trudged slowly back to the car through a crowded parking lot in the Texas summer heat. Hot, humid, full sun bearing down. I noticed my daughter matching my steps, walking close by my side the entire way back. Little legs stretching out as far as they could to match my stride. She smiled up at me and said, “Mom, look, I’m walking in your shade.” She’d found the shadow, the safe place to walk. I loved that my side was her shield, giving her protection from the heat.
This reminder came…
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1
We may not always see it, or feel it, we might forget it’s there at times, or even wonder if He’s left us to fend for ourselves in the heat of hard situations of life. But His protection is real. He doesn’t, He can’t, forget us or ignore us. If we belong to Him, His love is too great to leave us on our own.
Is it any coincidence that this is the 9-1-1 verse?
In whatever troubles we face today, God is the place of refuge we can run to, He is our safe place.
The word “dwell” used in this verse actually means, “to take up permanent residence in.” He reminds us to stay in His presence, for it’s a permanent place of living. His Word says if we do that, we will “rest” in the very “shadow of the Almighty.”
Shadows by definition are a place of protection or covering, they provide relief from the direct heat of the sun. If the heat is severe, the shade is the place we run to. It diminishes what we actually feel in the intensity of the heat.
A reminder for us, especially in the tough stuff, that we never walk alone. Full heat of troubles bearing down hard, heavy, it’s a struggle at times to keep trudging through it all. Pressure and stress can seem as stifling as a hot afternoon summer sun. Yet God whispers truth, strong and sure, “Walk in my shadow, up close to my side.” It’s in the safe place that brings confidence; for when we are resting is God’s shadow, we will never face the full heat of our difficulties. He shelters from that pain. His shade, His shadow, diminishes what is actually felt in the intensity of all the heat. Rest, peace, and calm rise up strong, right in the struggling mess of life, and we’re assured, He’s in control.
Sometimes, maybe unintentionally, in the busyness or difficulties of living, we might strive to survive on our own. We forget that what we need most, God’s protection and the comfort of His presence, are freely available to those who love Him and walk under His covering.
This entire chapter of Psalm 91 is filled with the goodness and power of God. Great reminders that He faithfully works on behalf of those who love Him. And at the end of it all, He gives 8 reasons why we do not have to fear.
He 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
What God says:
– “I will rescue him…” (deliver, cause to escape)
– “I will protect him…” (set him on a high place)
– “I will answer him…” (respond to, speak)
– “I will be with him in trouble…” (in afflictions, in distress)
– “I will deliver him…” (rescue, to bring into safety)
– “and honor him…” (to make rich, strong, heavy with honor)
– “With long life will I satisfy him…” (to have abundance in the journey)
– “and show him my salvation.” (let him see my deliverance & victory)
There is great blessing as we seek after God, and choose to walk in His ways. In the midst of great darkness in this world, living in it all without His Truth and freedom, would be like wallowing in the pit. Not much hope to be found there. The truth is, this world has been dark for generations, since sin first entered the earth at the hiss of the enemy’s lies.
Yet God’s reminders are sure, strong, and true, assuring us that in all that we walk through in this journey, His call is always to rise above. He reminds us we’re not alone. And though He never says that we won’t face hard times, He does say He’ll be with us in it, rescuing us, and shining His favor over us.
Don’t ever doubt it. God works on behalf of those who love Him and honor His name. He is so good to us. We may never fully know, this side of heaven, how very much He has sheltered us from in this life.
“Dear God,
Thank you for your presence with us, thank you for your Almighty Shadow. Thank you that you go before us, and cover us from behind. Thank you that you are in our midst, and that our future is secure in the place you’re preparing for us.
Your words bring such hope and comfort. Remind us of your strength today, may we see glimpses of your glory and blessing along the way as we seek after you. For victory and salvation are found in you alone.
In the Mighty Name of Jesus,
Amen.”
(This article was also posted here: http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/debbie-mcdaniel/8-powerful-promises-of-god-from-psalm-91.html)
Can you send this to me personally …love Psalm 91. I always enjoy reading your encouraging post. Thank you! I would like to be able to print this one.
This has been MY verse/chapter of comfort since I lost my youngest daughter to suicide May 22, 2011. Thank you Debbie for penning such inspiring words about Psalms 91. I love waking up to your posts. God has blessed you with such an amazing gift. Thank you for sharing it with a world that so desperately needs it.
I love that this is the 9-1-1 verse! What comfort to know I can always rest in His shadow!
I love Psalms 91. I loved how you made it more practical. Psalms 91 is Heaven’s 9-1-1. Amen! Keep dwelling in His presence and receiving and sharing his sweet revelations to the world ❤️💯
You have no idea how much I needed this today!
Wow….love this so much! Running to now to circle it in my Bible! Thanks!
This was beautiful! I LOVE Psalms 91! I love the picture of your daughter standing in your shadow! What a powerful image to help us understand this beautiful chapter!
This reminds me of something that my old souled five-year-old said to me. “God is the best house to live in.” In His shelter we find refuge! This was beautiful and a great reminder. 🙂
How sweet and insightful of your 5 yr old! I’m going to remeber that! Bless their heart. Thank you for sharing.
My family has been going through a tough time. Cancer is effecting both my husband and my side of the family and the words “there’s not much more we can do” has been said more times than we would like. But I am thankful we can rest in His shadow, right by His side, and know that He will take care of us and see us through every hardship. Thank you for the reminder!
Kelsey, so very sorry for this hard road you’re walking, reading your message again today & just wanted you to know I’m praying for you & your family. You are held by a mighty God!🙏
Such a spirit filled post, thank you so much for the encouragement. I was just reading Psalm 91 the other day and a couple of others. I truly feel blessed having read your post as a supplement to this psalm! Amen, sister!
Thank you so much Rachel for reading & encouraging words, love this Psalm & it’s powerful reminders in our lives! Blessings to you!💗
Loved the prayer you put in at the end, I do say this prayer daily, you prayer struck me, and had a profound impact, I took a photo and will add this to the end of my psalm 91 prayer, God Bless you for the insight into thanking Our Father God Jesus Christ, who has made us partakers of His Devine Kingdom.
Absolutely wonderful!!
I’m trying to get closer to God, my children and I have being going through it; one adversity after the next. Waking up in the middle of the night stressed and riddled with anxiety I seek him. I didn’t fully understand the verse but was encouraged to embrace him through psalms 91. Thanks so much for your explanation, with greater explanation I am able to fully embrace its meaning while adding it to my bookmark. May God continue to bless you while encouraging me!!!
Lately I have come under attack by my coworkers. And sometimes it’s hard to get through the shift… But God always delivers his words to me, and I’m forever grateful, sometimes it’s hard being humans. After work I come home and pray. And this is the scripture God put in my heart to read 🥲
I read it every morning and when we have storms.,I have prayed this daily when I use to work at 4am.GOD protected me.He Is still watching over me.i get so depressed he lifts my head PRAISE GOD I LOVE HIM !!!!
I felt relieved after reading this omg 😲 psalms 91 is so powerful 👏, and the explanations here my God
I’m going through a hard time right now I need gods protection around me I’m going to see a person who is maybe going to jump on me I’m praying for gods protection