Resting in God’s Shadow
When you were a kid on a hot, sunny day, did you ever try to walk in someone’s shadow? Maybe as they walked in front, you tried to keep up, jumping on their shadow as it danced along the sidewalk. If you did, you’ll remember: the only way to keep in someone’s shadow is to stay close.
A shadow is cast when something is near and that’s the heart of this beautiful metaphor from Psalm 91. It reminds us of the protection, presence, and power of God.
To be in someone’s shadow means you are near them, staying close. Dwelling in God’s shadow means we are positioning ourselves beside Him. It speaks of an intimate, ongoing relationship with the Lord.
Psalm 91 paints a picture of what it means to stay in God’s shadow:
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.”
The Psalmist tells about a place of rest that is found in God’s shadow. A rest that is more than a nap, but a place offered like the shelter under a mother hen’s wing: to hide, be safe, and breathe easier.
Finding this place of rest and protection comes when we choose to dwell with God. But notice, in this verse: our part comes first. Dwelling comes from choosing a relationship, investing time in God’s presence, and sticking close in His shadow.
And look at the names used in those verses. Each line gives us a glimpse of who God is:
• The Most High comes from Elyon - the Supreme One, exalted over all.
• The Almighty is Shaddai - powerful beyond imagination, able to meet every need.
• The LORD refers to YHWH - God’s sacred, personal name.
• My God is Elohim - the Creator of all things.
In just two verses, the Psalmist connects to God as the Ruler, the Powerful, the Sacred, and the Creator - all aspects of the God we’re invited to dwell with and learn to trust.
The more time we spend with God, the more we learn to trust Him. He becomes our refuge, a restful place to duck out of the rain, and our fortress, a place intentionally built to keep danger out.
He’s not just a shelter from fear; He’s the stronghold where fear no longer has access.
Pastor Aaron’s message last Sunday reminded us that dwelling with God doesn’t mean we’ll avoid fear or hardship, it means we can find peace right in the middle of it.
When we choose to dwell with God, it is not just about finding a spot to have your daily quiet time; although that can be helpful. It is about finding a spiritual connection point with God; finding a close place that we can be assured will offer rest in the midst of the chaos.
The thing about shadows, though, is they move.
So stay close. Learn to move with Him. And trust that wherever He goes, rest will be there, too.
Reflection Questions:
• What does “dwelling with God” look like in your daily life right now?
• Are there distractions or habits that keep you from resting in God's presence?
Resources:
DWELL Daily Guide