6-13-2015

Good Morning All!!

        Psalm 91:1: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”

    When life becomes difficult, where do we go?  When you are a kid in school, you usually look for an older brother to look out for you and to keep the bullies at bay.  As you get older, you count on your friends to watch out for you.  You never get to far away from them especially when the tough guys are close by.  You hide in their shadow as much as possible in order to stay safe.  Perhaps you then look to the government or you rely on your own wit and skill.

    God offers us a similar safety but played for higher stakes.  Notice how the Psalmist uses two different names to describe God.  First the Psalmist uses the name Elyon (which means “Most High” or “Most exalted”) and the he uses the name Shaddai (which means “provider” or “all- sufficient”).  So in the first part we dwell in the shelter of the Greatest God, the God above all other gods; the all-knowing, all-powerful, always-present, eternal God.  We stay in his tent.  We live in his castle.  We lounge at his table.  If you think of this in terms of a middle Eastern king, we would eat dates, fresh roasted lamb or the fatted calf, leeks, pomegranates, cucumbers, fresh bread and the finest wines.  We would sleep on luxurious silk sheets and drink a mixture of milk and honey.  All with God’s love to invite us and encourage us and with His power to protect us from the devil’s harm.

    The unbeliever has no clue at the grace that God provides for us as long as we dwell in his shelter and abide in his shadow.  We only get in trouble when we leave the tent and go off on our own thinking we can stand up to the devil and the world.  We soon find out we are no match for these evil forces.  We are only safe when we dwell in the shelter of the Most High.  We are only protected while we abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 

    Yet even then, as we wander off, God gathers us back to safety in his tent through his mercy given to us through Jesus.  We do not get a single chance but we are forgiven with each failure on our part.  God will renew and restore us in his mercy, giving us the hope to survive each day.      

    What a wonder gift!  What a wonderful promise!  We are to view this lavish meal (whatever yours is!!!) as just a small, microscopic hint to feast we will share in heaven.  Take the most elaborate meal you have ever seen or experienced, it isn’t even close.  We get what the unbeliever can’t even dream of.  Dwell safe in the shelter of the Most High; enjoy his meal and the time that you spend with Him through our prayers and praise.   

God of all Power, you speak and the world trembles and shakes.  Forgive us our sins.  Strengthen us so that we are ready for your hospitality; we are ready to dine with you.  As you nourish us with your heavenly meal; use our strength to serve in your kingdom.  Send us to bring your healing touch to this broken world.  Help us to serve you in joy and peace.  In the precious name of Jesus our risen Savior we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret