Rest in His shadow

Rest.  Shadow.  What a strange combination of words!

Usually when the word “shadow” comes up, we think of anything except rest.  What if a shadowy figure is lurking near your door?  What if you’re asleep but you wake up to shadows in your room?  Doesn’t sound very restful to me.

And yet, in his eternal Word, the LORD promises that we can rest in his shadow.  Do you know why?  Because seeing his shadow means that the LORD is close to us, not far.  He is here to help us, not harm us.  He’s always the solution and never the problem.  We haven’t been left alone to fend for ourselves in this cold, self-absorbed world.  We can REST in God’s SHADOW as the tidal waves crash and the wind howls.  We can endure whatever life brings with a tranquil heart.

The verses of the familiar hymn “On Eagles’ Wings” are based on this chapter of the Bible, Psalm 91.  Let verse one from that hymn resonate in your mind as you ponder resting in the LORD’s shadow.

You, who dwell in the shelter of the LORD,
Who abide in his shadow for life,
Say to the LORD, “My refuge,
My God, in whom I trust!”

And he will raise you up on eagles’ wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of his hand.

¹ He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  ² I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”      – Psalm 91:1-2

Prayer:  Dear Lord, take away all my fears, my loneliness, my anxiety, and the overwhelming feeling that I must save myself today.  Encourage me that you are near to me, and not far.  Help me to embrace the peace that comes from resting in your shadow.  Amen.