THE Only Place To Be

For years, Psalm 91 was a favorite of mine. I even used it as my first email address. This week, my neighbor posted this photo of our lake’s resident swan family, and I instantly recalled those beautiful verses:

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the 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.

Years ago, as class mom, I went on many a field trip. On one trip that took us to the Bronx Zoo, I felt like a mama hen trying to keep all her chicks from scattering. The children were only interested in the animals or attractions that lay ahead, but I knew the dangers if one of them escaped my watchful eye.

Just like these chicky little students of mine, we often run ahead toward whatever catches our eye, straying from safety or sanctuary.

Spurgeon said, “We are foolish and weak as poor little birds, and are very apt to be lured to our destruction by cunning foes, but if we dwell near to God, he will see to it that the most skilful deceiver shall not entrap us.”

We would be wise to know the “fowler’s snare.” The enemy of our soul employs tricks like the fowler:

• The fowler works in secret
• The fowler changes his trap and methods
• The fowler often entices with pleasure or profit
• The fowler often uses a bad example, a decoy

But thankfully, when we dwell in the shelter of the Most High, we are protected from the fowler’s snare. The mama’s wings covering her babe serves a beautiful picture of both power and gentleness. Likewise, He is our powerful, yet gentle, protector.

When the psalmist says “you,” he means you – singular – a personal promise:

• He will save you
• He will cover you
• You will find refuge
• His faithfulness will be your shield

These truths are for you personally if you dwell (stay, reside, have your home, inhabit, settle) in the shelter of the Most High.

If you’re like me, or like those chicks in my charge, it doesn’t take much to be distracted. It could be some bright, shiny thing that I lust after or a harsh word too easily spoken reflecting a hard attitude within. There’s only one thing to save me from myself. Or from the fowler. Sticking close to my Protector.

Will you choose with me to:

• Dwell in the shelter of the Most High
• Rest in the shadow of the Almighty
• Say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

For more of God’s promises, click here to read another post with a different take on this special Psalm.