Living in or running to the shelter?

In my previous post (Crush that serpent!) I wrote that Psalm 91 is one of my favorite psalms. I keep finding new insights, truths, and wisdom there 😁. Don't you love it when that happens?

I mean, let's take verse one... If you read the Bible regularly, you should know this verse.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Some translations say 'those who dwell in the shelter...' It is a verse of promise and comfort and safety. I love to meditate on those words.

Then, the thought came to me 👉the shelter of the Most High is not a place we run to when in trouble, when afraid, or when panic hits.

No! It is a place where we live, a place where we dwell continuously. It is a permanent place. It is the only place where we will find rest, but not when we have the habit of rushing in and out.

When in trouble, danger, or pain, everyone calls for God (even if it is using swear words) and He is so loving and gracious that He will come to the rescue. But His true will for us is that we live in His shelter, that we dwell in His presence.

It is kind of what I wrote in my post Rush or linger? a few weeks ago. I want to leave you (again) with that thought: Does He have a permanent place in your life?

Crush that serpent!

Psalm 91 is one of my favorite Psalms, I must have read it hundreds of times. The words always encourage me, boost my faith, and ease my worries.

The best thing is that I still find new insights while contemplating the ancient words of wisdom. The other day verse 13 caught my attention:

You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

This verse is, of course, about spiritual warfare. This verse is about us silencing the voice of the enemy (in the Bible Satan is depicted as a serpent and compared to a roaring lion). This verse is calling all of us to take action. I have read it many times before.

But this time the word fierce stood out for me. We will not just crush any lion or serpent, but fierce ones! That are ferocious, vicious, aggressive, brutal, and relentless ones. No matter what kind of attack the devil brings our way, we will set down our foot and crush his stupid efforts.

Jesus said to His followers: I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you (Luke 10:19). So, the writer of Psalm 91 must have had a prophetic vision about the ins and outs of spiritual warfare. I love that Jesus refers to what was already written in the Tanakh (what we call the Old Testament).

Throughout the Bible we see people dealing with the issue of spiritual warfare, don't be mistaken. The apostle Peter has quite a serious warning for all believers. Let's take it to heart.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith (1 Peter 5:8-9).

We are called to stand firm against the enemy (not people, but the devil), to trample and crush him under our feet! Think about that if you are feeling attacked by godless situations and circumstances. Jesus gives the orders, not the enemy!

Rush or linger?

The other day I joined a breathing exercise class at my work. The teacher asked how people arrived at work that day.

To my surprise most had arrived in a rush. Some because of chaos at home, children to drop off at school, and leaving too late. Others because of chaos on the freeway, parking challenges, and appointments waiting.

For many life is a rush.

We rush through our tasks, we rush to get groceries during lunch break, and we rush home. Yeah, we might even rush through Bible reading. A scripture here, a scripture there, a quick prayer, and off we go again.

I strongly believe the Lord is looking for people who dare to linger. For people who are not afraid to stay in His presence without agenda, who want to listen, and who are not afraid to be silent.

Who dares to linger?

Exodus 33:11 intrigues me: So the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

Joshua lingered in the tent of meeting, in the place where God's presence was so tangible. He was young, and he wanted that close connection with God that Moses had... face-to-face. About Zacharias the priest, it is written: And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. He experienced the presence of God.

Do you seek His presence?

The choice is ours and the crazier the world gets, the more we need to linger, to sit with the One who loves us. The One who loves us says to you and me today: 'Sister, you are worried and troubled about many things', just as He said to Martha when He came into her house (see Luke 10:41-42).

Are you worried and troubled about many things?

Maybe it is time to reconsider. Maybe it is time to master the art of lingering. Not just when on vacation, but maybe even more so in times of turmoil. Jesus explained it to Martha:

There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.

Will you discover it?