March 19, 2013

• Under His Shadow

   

  “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”  The shadow of God is not the occasional resort of the saint, but his constant abiding-place. Here we find not only our consolation, but also our habitation. We ought never to be out of the shadow of God.

   

  It is to dwellers, not to visitors, that the Lord promises His protection. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”  and that shadow will preserve him from the evil and “terror by night”  (Psalm 91:5), from the arrows of war and of pestilence, from death and from destruction (vv. 5-6). Guarded by Omnipotence, the chosen of the Lord are always safe. For, as they dwell in the holy place, very near the mercy seat where the blood was sprinkled long ago, they are covered by the pillar of fire by night and the pillar of cloud by day, which continually hand over the sanctuary. Is it not written, “In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me” (Psalm 27:5)? What better security can we desire.

   

  As the people of God, we are always under the protection of the Most High. Wherever we go, whatever we suffer, whatever our difficulties, temptations, trials, or perplexities may be, we are always “under the shadow of the Almighty.” The tenderest care of a guardian is extended over all who maintain that fellowship with God. Their heavenly Father interposes between them and their adversaries.

   

  This is a precious word: “Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice” (Psalm 63:7). The metaphor of wings is, of course, derived from the nestling of little birds under the shadow of their mother’s wings, and the picture is unusually touching and comforting. The little bird is not yet able to take care of itself, so it cowers down under the mother, and there it is happy and safe. Disturb a hen for a moment, and you will see all the little chicks huddling together and making a kind of song with their chirps. Then they push their heads into her feathers and seem happy beyond measure in their warm abode.

   

  When we are very ill and extremely depressed, when we are concerned about our sick children, the troubles of a needy household, and the temptation of satan, how comforting it is to run to our God! As the little chicks run to the hen, we can hide away near His heart, beneath His wings! Here, awe has disappeared, and rest itself is enhanced by the idea of loving trust. The little birds are safe in their mother’s love, and we, too, are secure and happy beyond measure in the loving favor of the Lord. C.H. Spurgeon

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