Sheltering in God
“The one who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ Psalm 91:1-2
With all the sheltering in place over the last nine months due to the pandemic, it’s easy to feel isolated and overwhelmed. People aren’t gathering in groups often and when we do, it’s hard to feel connected when all the safety guidelines keep us farther apart. We were made for connection, and when we don’t have it, our mental and emotional health can be negatively impacted. But, being cooped up, stressed out and weighed down doesn’t have to be your daily experience right now. Instead, this can be an opportunity for some extra introspection and drawing near to God.
In Exodus 25:8, the people of Israel were instructed to build a tabernacle for the Lord. “Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them,” God told Moses. The tabernacle would become a symbol of God’s presence and a place of worship. As the people dwelt in tents, God also dwelt among them in the tabernacle and tent of meeting. When the people moved camp, He went with them and led them with a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. He knew the people would need his abiding presence as they wandered through the desert for forty years, longing for the promised land. He lovingly provided a way for them to come near and find strength in his presence.
In the New Testament, God came to dwell or tabernacle with his people again, but this time in a very personal way. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God.” In verse 14, it goes on to say, “The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” The birth of the Messiah brought God’s presence in the most intimate way possible, through the life of his son. Once again, he lovingly came near to his people, physically sharing in their sorrows and sufferings and calling them his friends.
God longs to be with us, comfort us and care for us. When we draw near to him through his son, Yeshua, he draws near to us. He lifts our spirits and provides a “peace that passes all understanding to guard our hearts and our minds,” no matter how difficult the trials we face. The weight of our current circumstances gets lighter and lighter as our gaze is continually turned upward.
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Spending time in God’s word, in prayer, and outside, in his creation, are some of the ways we can draw near to him and experience his sheltering presence.
God was faithful to his people and he still is today. He is always pursuing us, and he wants to tabernacle with us on a daily basis. If you are worried or afraid about the future or you just feel alone right now, look to God and take shelter in him. When you do, you will find rest, like the Psalmist says, “in the shadow of the almighty”.
He will never leave you or forsake you.
