Sheltered in the Shadow

It was a warm day, the air-conditioner’s cool air felt refreshing as Mom and I drove to Fairview to see Aunt Marie. She continued to live alone then in the two story rambling house on a tree-shaded street. Age treated her well, I thought as she welcomed us into her living room. We settled and Aunt Marie began a conversation. She told stories of long ago when she was a child, when she accepted Jesus as her Savior, going to school, meeting Uncle Jacob, and how they struggled to make a living and raise two daughters.

After each story, she rocked in silence and then commented, “I always wondered how it would all turn out.” Sometimes she learned, sometimes she waited for years to know ‘how it would all turn out”.

Now, I know what she meant, for I wonder, too. Now she knows ‘how it will turn out’ for she lived in the shelter of the Most High.

And I wonder, too. Life gives so many questions day to day – and no answers. Life’s weather seems no longer to be a stretch of sunshine – and then a quick storm. But we live from storm to storm. Earthquakes seem more numerous. The political situation is tenuous in nearly every country as well as the economic climate. I tremble at the fate of Christians in countries being at risk for their next breath to praise God.

And I wonder, How will it all turn out?”

We wonder about he big things – then there are the everyday things – closer to home. The big decisions in life can cause changes in the little things. What is in the future? How big is my faith? What is truth? Who can I believe? Are my big decisions in keeping with what I say I believe? When getting my teeth cleaned, I grip the chair arms in anticipation of pain. Is that what I do in life?

Or do I fling my arms out to embrace life and let the little decisions stay in line with my faith in God? Do I respond faithfully in love with the tiny irritations and inconveniences – the little things? Do I consciously realize that God creates each individual in love and anticipation? Am I able to ‘look on the heart’ and refrain from ‘labling’ or judging those around me? Do I listen to God? Do I hear His voice in my heart? Do I love like God?

In the future, will there be hunger, physical and/or spiritual, or trials for those I love? Will there be heartache for ‘those who come after’? Am I able to trust the Creator of the universe? Do I let Him lead in my life? Or do I try to take control?

Then I read Psalm 91 and I no longer ‘wonder ‘how all will turn out’! As I read, I can feel my heart muscles relax as my mind grasps the meaning of the words. I can feel the energy of faith surge through my being. Blessed be the Lord!

I bless David for writing Psalm 91.

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
 2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
 3 For he will rescue you from every trap, and protect you from deadly disease.
 4 He will cover you with his feathers.
 He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
 5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.
 6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
 7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
 though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.
 8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.

9 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, 10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home. 11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.
 12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
 13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.
 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.
 I will rescue and honor them.
 16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”