“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty”
(Psalm 91:1, NIV).
Gales whirl in a violent uproar outside my office window. Hail batters the roof like a viral-shaped threat to any who would dare brave the outside world. The tears of heaven’s rain streak through the haze on the outside of my window, leaving a lasting mark on my view.
Today’s storm bears the nature of so many current circumstances that serve to barricade us inside our walls. The structures which shelter us can also close in around us like a trap clamping tighter each day on our minds and souls. The beautiful grays of our walls grow drabber as we stare at them hour by hour. We once believed a home could offer us security and belonging. Sociology has long held that human beings have an innate, core longing for a secure place to dwell. But our recent world shift has revealed how desperately we need something else to fulfill our needs.
[bctt tweet=”The human spirit requires more than a hole in which to hide from the world.” username=”@tyeagerwrites”]
We crave shelter from something more ominous than a tempest, riot, or pandemic. And our man-cobbled huts cannot withstand the onslaught of pure evil. The architect of destruction and death seeks to isolate us from one another, our divine purposes, and the Source of LIFE Himself. The enemy batters us with horrific circumstances to cause us suffering and harm. He also attacks us within, storming our minds with fear and all its minions–suspicion, bitterness, insecurity, pessimism, doubt. And as our fear deepens, our hearts and souls grow colder toward one another. We become self-protective.
[bctt tweet=”Fear is love’s arch-nemesis. Fear compels human souls to commit their most depraved acts against one another.” username=”@tyeagerwrites”]
Fear also plagues the human experience and tempts us daily throughout our lives. This aspect of our journey on earth has not come to the Lord as a surprise. He crafted 366 verses into scripture to help us deal with the attacks of fear from our great enemy, including the words noted by the apostle Jesus named as the “rock” upon which our church would be founded.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (1 Peter 5:7-9).
Our houses shelter us from meteorological storms and some of the pandemic’s risk, but only the Lord can offer us effective shelter against our greatest threats. Ephesians 6:10-18 lists armor and weapons the Lord offers us as divine protective gear. Whether we stay inside our houses or venture onto other battlefields beyond our doors, we must take care to put on the following pieces of armor each morning:
- Belt of Truth – center yourself in the Lord’s truth, which holds all your spiritual equipment together
- Breastplate of Righteousness – cover your heart with Christ’s righteousness
- Boots of Readiness – anchor your footing with the Gospel which unites us in peace with God
- Shield of Faith – soak your faith in the presence of Christ, for His living water will extinguish the attacks of the enemy upon your mind, heart, and spirit
- Helmet of Salvation – cover your mind with your identity and salvation in Jesus Christ
- Sword of the Spirit – prepare a sharp-edged list of scriptures to combat fear and other destructive attacks
- Prayer Spear – use prayer as your long-range weapon against the darkness
In addition to Ephesians 6, Psalm 91 also serves as a well-worn, favorite spiritual warfare passage. This powerful psalm begins with reminding us to take shelter in the Lord Almighty. In these days of facing trials within our earthly forms of shelter, we desperately need the encouragement that He is our true dwelling place and ultimate refuge.
The Lord has called me to leave the current house behind. In one month from the time I write this, I’ll migrate to a new state where I have almost no connections. I have a date when I must leave the house I’m selling. We have no forwarding address and no means to secure a new house at this time. But the house is not our shelter.
And we trust in the Lord our God.
So we move forward in faith, taking our ultimate dwelling place with us. No matter where He chooses as our dwelling place with Him.
Do you have a favorite blade of sharp-edged verses? Please share them with us! I’ll add a few of mine here:
- Psalm 27
- Psalm 34
- Psalm 91
- Philippians 4
- Ephesians 6
- 1 Peter 5
- Matthew 28:20
- Psalm 139:5
- 1 John 4:4
- 1 John 4:18
- Psalm 16
- Psalm 21
- Psalm 55:22
- Hebrews 12:28
As always, I look forward to hearing from you!
Be Encouraged,
Tina