Last night we discussed Psalm 91, which begins “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty”. Several times over the last week I’ve been outside without sunglasses, with the bright sun making me squint, hoping to be able to see the dangers in a parking lot — cars that didn’t see me and I didn’t see. And then a large truck would drive by or a cloud would give me some shade so that I could see better. The term “dwell” means “to remain, sit, abide” and conveys the idea of permanence.

In order to enjoy the benefits of dwelling in His shadow, we must dwell with Him and soak up His Word, which is the only truth. Psalm 91 promises deliverance and protection not to everyone, but only to dwellers — those who draw daily, habitual strength from our Lord as we sustain an intimacy of fellowship and nearness to Him. Dwellers are those who truthfully say, “the Lord [is] my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust!”

If we dwell with Him, He will deliver us from the baited traps Satan sets for us (v 3); He covers us with Himself to keep us from any predators and stays faithful to us, never changing (v4). And in the last few verses of the psalm, the Lord promises to give His dwellers a tactical advantage.

“Because he [the dwellers] has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation.” (v 14-16)

These promises are for all “dwellers” to claim:

  • He will deliver us
  • He will set us securely on high (where fiery darts can’t reach us)
  • He will answer us when we call on Him
  • He will be with us in troubles — we are never alone
  • He will rescue us and honor us — because we love Him and abide in Him
  • He will satisfy us

As I pondered that He will satisfy us I was reminded of several Scriptures that if we thirst He will provide us with living water (so that we are satiated by His very presence). I found another Scripture that made this plain to me: “You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” (Ps 16:11)

This world is becoming more and more depraved. But for those who choose to abide with the Lord and who truthfully say, “the Lord [is] my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust!”  we can claim His promises. 

I encourage you to meditate on Psalm 91 and daily dwell with our Most High, the Almighty God! I was thinking about all this on my drive in this morning and heard the song “Even Then” that gave me the exclamation point. 

Even when it feels like my world is shaken
Even when I’ve had all that I can take
I know You never let me go, whoa
And even when the waters won’t stop rising
Even when I’m caught in the dead of a night
I know No matter how it ends 
You’re with me even then!