“You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Psalm 91:1 NRSVue
This Psalm is written to those who love God. I don’t mean those who loudly proclaim God or those who invoke His name for their own benefit. I mean those who truly love Him. This Psalm is for those who delight in the persons and character of God.
The promises here are not for the clanging gongs of public piety. This Psalm is for those who dwell quietly in the shelter and protection of God. It is for those who are content to nestle in the shadow of God, not requiring that the light be shown on them.
Every promise in this passage is good. There is no equivocation.
God wills only good for those who love Him for who He is and not for what He can give.
That is the challenge of faith today. We see so many people wielding God’s name to rally power, glory, and praise for themselves. It seems to work, but not in God’s economy.
Those who seek their reward in this life will have it. Those who rest in God without seeking to divert His glory to themselves will have the greater reward.
A Quote to Consider
“Men freely believe that which they desire.”
-Julius Caesar
We are easily convinced of what we want to believe. If you tell me how wonderful I am, I am quick to believe you. If you challenge me on my failures, I work hard to dismiss your criticism or to justify my failures.
But wisdom, either worldly or spiritual, requires that what we believe is consonant with reality. This requires questioning our beliefs and challenging our assumptions, especially those we really like.
This is true as a culture, a church, and as individuals. While wanting to believe something makes it easier for us to believe, it does not make it more true.
Many of us want to believe that our nation has always been just. Many of us want to believe that the church always has a heart seeking after Jesus. I, like many of you, want to believe that I behave selflessly rather than selfishly most, if not all, of the time.
Those are things I desire, so they are easy to believe. But they are not true.
Drawing nearer to God requires that we draw nearer to truth, whether or not the truth aligns with what we desire.
Prayer
Lord,
Teach us to dwell quietly in your shelter, not seeking attention for ourselves but resting in your presence. Give us the courage to love truth more than comfort, to question what flatters us, and to draw nearer to you with humble and honest hearts.
Amen.
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