“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”  (Psalm 91:1)

Once when I was flying from Kentucky to Maryland while sitting in a window seat, I began to notice the clouds beneath. It was an absolutely stunning day. You could see the trees below and they were changing all sorts of fall colors.

But it was the shadow of the clouds that stood out most to me this day. Usually when I am flying I don’t see the shadows of the clouds but rather I see the clouds themselves. This day there were hundreds of small clouds to be seen and underneath them – and on the ground – was the exact same shape of the cloud in shadow form.

It started to strike my spirit that it was the shape of the cloud that provided the shade for me during my lazy summer time siestas under the trees. It was the shadow of the cloud that I longed for in the hottest days of summer.

And then my mind wandered to Psalm 91:1 which says, whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most high WILL REST in the SHADOW of the Almighty. I began to understand this verse differently in my present encounter on the plane.

I only need the Lord’s shadow to bring me comfort. What an amazing thought! During the times of the greatest heat in my life all I need is the shadow of God to fall upon me and I will find rest for my soul.

And indeed this has been my experience. When crisis does come, I seek His face and in His face I come to the place of peace and rest.

I have actually come to the place spiritually that when a situation that seems negative arises, I do a quick internal analysis. I say to myself: “Can you still feel the shadow of God in the face of these circumstances?” The answer, of course, is always “YES.”

And because I can feel that shadow of peace and rest in my heart I know that this situation will also pass, and I will be alright and my family will be alright. There is nothing that can upset me for long, as long as I seek the assurance of His presence.

“In His presence there is fullness of joy.” (Psalm 16:11), and all we need is the shadow of His presence for this joy to be full.

This just speaks to me of the greatness of God. His spirit transcends every negative trial that you might face. In fact, in time you might come to rejoice in trials because you see the grace and eternal life that they are producing in your life. James said to “Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds.” (James 1:2).

The truth is when I face my roughest roads God is there in the midst of them. He pours out His spirit in those times in a very special way. I don’t look for trouble, but when it comes, I am thankful because I know a greater outpouring is at hand.

I pray for you today. I ask the Lord to strengthen you in the face of your current trial. I ask Him to send joy and peace like garments so that you may sense His presence at all times. I ask God to pour His presence out over your life and that you might remain in the shadow of the Almighty always.