Protection in Shadows

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust.’” (Psalm 91:1-2)

These 2 verses introduce the theme and key point of the entire psalm and one of the most important truths about our God: He is a refuge. If God wasn’t a refuge, then the psalmist wouldn’t say that he could “abide in the shadow of the Almighty” of His God. He – and we – would have no place to go when we are in trouble.

In the Ancient Near East, homes were places of protection. The home was a place of safety not just for the family but for anyone who needed a place to flee their enemies or to escape the weather or a predator. So, a dwelling place became a metaphor for protection.

Also, in this area of the world, there was little shade and the sun can be dangerous and oppressive. So, shadows also become metaphors for care and protection.

John MacArthur gives a helpful explanation of this protection: “The Lord exercised His loving care for Israel like an eagle caring for its young, especially as they were taught to fly. As they began to fly and had little strength, they would start to fall. At that point, an eagle would stop their fall by spreading its wings so they could land on them.” (MacArthur Study Bible, pg. 297)

God Himself protects those who trust Him. God is a home for His people.

This psalmist lives “in the shadow” like a baby bird does its mother. God is the One to whom we must flee for refuge in dangerous and insecure circumstances.

Charles Spurgeon calls this God’s transcendent condescension, where the eternal God likens Himself to an animal that He created in order to depict His loving protection of us.

Let me illustration shadows of protection. When our family goes to a water park on a hot day, we run from one shadow to the next to protect our feet from burning on the hot pavement. The shadow is our protection from pain.

To be under the “shadow” of something implies closeness or nearness. When you are under the “shadow” there is relief; there is protection.

God is a “refuge” and “fortress.” God is the truest, safest “refuge” and “fortress” we have.