Morning Devotional

July 20, 2004

"In the Shadow of God"

by Don Emmitte

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Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague. He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. (Psalm 91:1-7 NLT).

When I was a young boy, growing up on the Island of Galveston, air conditioning was a luxury. The weather was relatively moderate most of the year. You could count on a sea breeze nearly all year to keep things cool by the standards of that day. Most of the schools didn't have it and many of our houses were without it. However, today we wouldn’t be comfortable with such temperatures as we had then.

Even with that being true, it seems like we spent more time outdoors then than we do now. In the heat of the summer, we would often find the nearest shade tree and enjoy the breeze. Sometimes we had the extra treat of ice cream. No matter how hot it was, with ice cream in hand and a shade tree above, the weather was always just right!

That is what I think of when I think of the "shadow of the Almighty". Resting within the protection of God's glory, I find peace from the burdens of the world. No, my problems don't always disappear, but the journey is made easier. The valleys aren't as deep, and the mountaintops seem to last longer and come more often.

Dwelling within God's shelter means that I trust Him even when the odds makers say I shouldn't. It means that I choose Him over the achievements I can make on my own. It means that my life is not my own. I am bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus, and that my home is in Heaven, where awaits for me an eternal blessing, which far outweighs the problems of this world.

I’m sure those same shade trees are still standing, but I have air conditioning now, and we seldom get ice cream and sit under them. In fact, most of the time we are inside with the blinds drawn to keep the sun out and the cool air in! As I think about that shade tree, however, I realize that the best shade I will ever experience is within the "shadow of the Almighty". Perhaps you need to rest in His shade for a while. Take a few moments and be still in his presence. You’ll find it very comfortable there!