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. My Refuge. My Fortress. One is safe, the other secure. Both words of comfort that offer peace.
I don’t feel very peaceful right now. And I’m not doing a very good job of dwelling in the shelter of the Most High either.
The truth is, today was junk. I could sit here and tell you all of the reasons why it was junk, but to be completely honest every single one boils down to the messiness of humans, me included. I have had thoughts of inconvenience when I shouldn’t, mumbled under my breath about people who have irritated me, said hurtful things to others, and am angry at other people’s actions that are completely out of my control. I can’t even control myself, what makes me think I have the right to even TRY to dictate someone else’s actions? Ha, laughable. What a mess I am.
So I came home and I laid on the bed and I stewed. I didn’t even pray. Just stewed. I counted the ways I was wronged and rehashed all sorts of unfairness over multiple situations. And as a headache set in, it occurred to me my stewing was hurting no one but myself. Like a 2 year old and a tantrum. This fit is getting me nowhere and I don’t feel any better but I am going to do it anyway! Again, ha, laughable. So I got up. I took the junk day that I was carrying around off of my shoulders, and said, “Show me, God. Show me where to change. Show me how to have a right heart even when I feel wronged. Show me Your love so that I can show others. Show me where you want me to be.”
He simply answered, “Write. Psalm 91.”
I walked to the shower, washed off my sour mood, and worshipped. Then I walked over to my bed, sat down, and opened my Bible and my computer. I read Psalm 91 in its entirety (not that its that long) and wept. I don’t have peace because I am not in my dwelling place. I didn’t treat others right because I wasn’t in my dwelling place. I didn’t offer humility because I wasn’t in my dwelling place. I can’t fight the flesh or the enemy if I am not in my dwelling place. How can my life feel safe and secure if I am NOT IN MY DWELLING PLACE??? I can’t. There is no way. My Protection is in my dwelling place.
Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place -the Most High, who is my refuge-no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91:9-11
Yeah, convicted. 100% I was wrong. Why? Because I chose my humanness over God’s refuge and strength that I have full access to. God gives me safety, security, and peace so why am I choosing to do it my way? Cause I’m mad? Didn’t work out for me. Not in the least.
We all endure days or cycles of life that don’t feel safe or secure. We make a mistake or we say things we shouldn’t in our humanness that can flip the day upside down in an instant. Or we make a choice that changes life as we had planned it. Life isn’t safe or secure. It isn’t guaranteed. Its messy and we are going to have junk days.
What we do have is a God that never leaves us or forsakes us. He is our refuge and our strength. He is our Deliverer. He is our Help. The only thing we have to do is abide in Him. Go to the dwelling place. God takes it. And it doesn’t matter if its junk that is self-inflicted or junk that was thrown on you, if its old junk or new junk, light junk or heavy junk, He takes it all.
So sister, where is your heart today? Are you letting the anger of politics, work, media, and other people pull you from your dwelling place? That’s where the enemy wants you, unsafe and unsecure. Or are you abiding in the Shelter of the Most High allowing Him to take the load?
Come to me, all who are labor and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29.
feed yourself, girl 