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| Volume 25 Number 12 December 2023 |
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| Volume 25 Number 12 December 2023 |
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The Shadow of the Almighty
Rodney Nulph, Associate Editor
When actor Jimmy Stewart enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, his father gave him a letter and enclosed a copy of Psalm 91. Through the years, Psalm 91 has become known to many as “The Soldiers’ Psalm” – and with good reason. Even in more recent years, American troops in Iraq have been known to read Psalm 91 before going on patrol.
Psalm 91 is a unique Psalm in many ways. One of the unique features found in Psalm 91 is that in the latter part (vs. 14-16), God spoke, giving a commentary on what the writer had just penned. While God’s promises and protection are available to all, we do not receive them passively. When we are actively connected to the Father, we can truly experience the amazing “shadow of the Almighty” like never before. Sadly, many try to experience God passively or at a distance, but those who “draw near to God” are assured that God will draw near to them (James 4:8). Psalm 91 is all about an intimate relationship with God. Notice the beauty.
The Closeness (Psalm 91:1-2)
Notice carefully the words that the Psalmist used to portray this intimate relationship with God. “Dwell” comes from a Hebrew verb that literally means “to sit down; to stay.” This is not a “quick visit” with God now and then but rather a life that is centered on fellowship and a close relationship with Him. I cannot help but think of what Jesus said regarding the Vine and the branches in John 15:4-11. “Abide in me” is the overall message in John 15 and in Psalm 91, which may well be the primary message of the entire Bible. “Abide” (KJV) in Psalm 91 comes from a word that means “to pass the night.” In fact, some translations use the word “lodge” in place of “abide” (NASB). Maybe a good way to phrase the closeness that is evident in an intimate relationship with God would be “to sit down with God, lodge with Him and pass the nights in His presence.” Then, in verse 2, the Psalmist affirmed that God was “my refuge and my fortress” (KJV). During the time of the Psalmist, a refuge was a place of safety from rain, storms, heat, cold and danger. Isaiah 25:4 refers to God as a “refuge from the storm, A shade from the heat.” Living in intimacy with God means that we are close to Him and enjoy a deeper level of peace and joy.
The Calmness (Psalm 91:3-13)
There are three wonderful “calms” in this amazing section of Scripture. There is protection (3-4). God’s protection is evidenced by His deliverance; “he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler and from… pestilence.” “Fowlers” were those who set snares for birds. Fowlers were crafty, methodical and purposeful in their approach to snag the unexpectant fowl. Not only does God warn of the snares of this world, but even when I get caught, He will deliver me! God’s protection is also evidenced by His defense; “his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” Spurgeon correctly said, “Double armor has he who relies upon the Lord. He bears a shield and wears an all-surrounding coat of mail.” Talk about protection! There is peace (5-8). The Psalmist speaks of night and day in this section. For the one who is close to and intimate with God, there is neither terror from the things we can see (in the day) nor from the things that are beyond our ability to perceive (in the night). How often do we fret over “what might be” (i.e. the things we cannot know or see)? The one who has intimacy with God has peace, day and night! There are promises (9-13). The Devil quoted part of this section in Matthew 4 to try to tempt Jesus to jump from the pinnacle of the Temple. However, Jesus reminded the old serpent that to tempt God is not to really understand His promises at all. The promises of God in no way keep us from trouble, but rather, they assure us that God will be with us through trouble! Someone has correctly said, “Joy is found in rejoicing when God chooses to shield us from danger and also when He walks with us through it” (cf. James 1:2-3; Romans 8:28). Calm assurance is reality when we walk closely with God!
The Compensation (Psalm 91:14-16)
God is now the actual spokesman in Psalm 91:14-16. Notice what God sees in the one who is intimate with Him. God has seen passion. “Because he hath set his love upon me.” This is not an occasional “love God” way of life but a love that is unequalled by any other (cf. Luke 14:26). This is a love for God that encompasses “heart… soul… strength, and… mind” (Luke 10:27). Notice the compensation for a love like that; “…therefore, will I deliver him, I will set him on high.” God saw prayer; “He shall call upon me.” It is possible to share living space with someone without speaking or interacting much. Does this describe your Christianity? You occupy some space with God but seldom talk and interact with Him on a deeper level? Yet, those who commune in prayer with God, He will compensate by being “with him in trouble… deliver him, and honour him.” Let’s sum up what God is really saying here – the compensation of His presence: “I will be with him in trouble”; the compensation of His protection: “I will deliver him”; the compensation of His promotion: “I will… honour him”; the compensation of His prosperity: “With long life I will satisfy him”; the compensation of His preservation: “and show him My salvation.”
The shadow of the Almighty is a blessing, indeed. However, it is not given passively to anyone who merely looks in the direction of God. Those who actively, passionately and intimately know God are the recipients of such. Having a close relationship with God is a choice. We can choose to be close to God, and in turn He will be close to us. However, we can choose to keep God at a distance. Be assured, though, God will not force His way into the secret chambers of anyone’s heart (Revelation 3:20).
