| Psalm 91 – “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “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.” |
The old expression “made in the shade” suggests that a person has arrived at a comfortable place in life where all is good and virtually carefree. Like the pleasure of relaxing in a nice, cool, shady spot. It’s an attractive proposition.
But as much as we would wish otherwise, we never really have it all together in life without a care or worry. We never have things fully under control. If we’re honest, can we ever really say we’ve got it “made in the shade”? The truth is, even when things seem to be going well for a time, there is always something unexpected just around the corner. Some kind of change that interrupts our plans and routine. Something that disappoints, disrupts or distracts. It might be as simple as a change in the weather that disrupts a planned activity, or worse, a major storm that completely pulls the rug out from under us.
Sound familiar? We’ve all been there. We’ve all experienced the sudden changes to life’s normal routine that take us by surprise. Perhaps it was a pandemic, a sudden illness, a change in work status, a loss of a relationship, a financial crisis. The list is endless. Having it made in the shade is highly improbable—that is, if we are trusting in our own plans and expectations. How often those expectations are unmet or frustrated because of circumstances beyond our control.
On the twisting and turning path of life we can count on some unforeseen obstacle just waiting to slow or completely block our progress. These unexpected interruptions in our best laid plans can be troubling and demoralizing. They can curb our enthusiasm, our motivation and our joy.
In the Bible, the writer of Psalms knew well the myriad trials and challenges life can throw our way. But he also understood that there is a shady place of peace and refuge with our Lord God. Perhaps you noticed the writer’s reference to the “shadow of the Almighty” or the covering “under his wings”. This imagery of a shady covering does not suggest a place where life’s troubles suddenly vanish or never appear at all but rather a place where comfort and refuge can be found when troubles do arise.
The storms of life will come and arrows may fly past us, but if we trust in Almighty God, we can endure come what may. And God’s promise for the one who loves him and acknowledges his name, God will protect and give refuge. He will answer the one who calls him. And in times of trouble God will be with him and deliver him. God may not provide shelter and rest in a physical fortress, but our trust in him is promised to give us refuge and comfort.
Prayer: Lord God, give me the strength and confidence to trust you in everything. May you be my shelter, my rest and my refuge in the difficult and unexpected changes of life. May I know and proclaim that in you alone do I have it made in the shade of your eternal promises. Amen.
- Randy Baker
