“One who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will lodge in the shadow of the Almighty.”
~~Psalm 91:1~~

Oh this verse!!!  It has so much in it!  “One who dwells” (to sit down, remain, to have one’s abode) in the shelter (as a hiding place) of the Most High will lodge (to cause to rest or to lodge) in the shadow (as shelter from hot sun) of the Almighty.”  

I want to point out a few things here concerning the parsing of the phrase “will lodge”.  It is in the imperfect tense, which means that it is not a “one-and-done” action.  Also note that it is a participle, which means that it is what I like to call an “-ing” word – you will be lodging in the shadow of the Almighty  It denotes continuance!  Another important thing to note from “will lodge” is that it means “to cause to rest or lodge”.  If I have to cause myself to do something, then it means that whatever the action is, it doesn’t come naturally.  I have to be intentional and purposeful.  Just wow…

Ok, now consider the significance of this verse in light of the fact that the climate can be very hot in the Middle East.  Mentioning a place where you can find relief from the heat would make someone take note.  This makes me think of when it’s really hot outside, and I have to mow the grass.  When I walk from the house to the outbuilding to get the tractor, I pass under a big tree in the backyard and under that tree it feels so much cooler.  While the temperature of the day hasn’t changed one bit, the effect of the heat on me has diminished a lot while passing under that tree.  

Now switch gears.  As I go through life, the “heat” of the trials I encounter can be intense, at times almost unbearable, but when I cause myself to be lodging in God’s shadow, I find relief from the “heat”.  The heat of the trials hasn’t changed, but their effect on me has.  

Why is it that I find relief from the heat of my trials in His shadow, but then I close my Bible, walk out from under that shelter and right back into the heat of my trials.  It’s because “will lodge” is not one-and-done.  I must choose to “dwell” under His shelter…make my heart’s abode there.  Then it doesn’t matter if the heat of the trials I am facing lessen or not, I experience shelter from their heat.  

Just wow…A verse that I’ve read countless times before was made so applicable this morning as I heard afresh from God.  It’s the Living Word I tell ya!!  Oh how I love my God!!