Abiding Under The Shadow of The Almighty
by Olga Hermans
Once you know that divine protection belongs to you, there are some conditions you must keep to activate that protection in your life. Psalm 91:1 makes that very clear; if you are going to enjoy God’s protection, you’re going to have to abide in Him.
The word “abide” means to lodge, or to set up camp. He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall lodge under the shadow of the Almighty. Notice that you can’t see a shadow, but it’s always there. To be in somebody’s shadow you have to be pretty close to him or her. In other words, you have to be pretty close to God to lodge under His shadow.
Make no mistake; however, going to church does not make you close to God. Lots of people go to church but are not close to God. They just go to church. The word does not say to draw near to your church, and you’ll be close to God. It says to draw near to God and He’ll draw near to you.
The depth of your relationship with God depends on the time you spend with Him, because you spend time with whom you love. Are you someone who spends time in worship before God, time in praise to God, time in personal one- on-one prayer and communion with God? If you are, you’ll notice that the closer you get to Him, the closer He gets to you. You reach a place where you abide under His shadow. And that’s the best place to be.
God said in James, “Draw nigh to me, or close to me, and I’ll draw nigh to you.” Well, to be under the shadow of the Almighty is to be close to the Father. In order to be close to Him, you need to be in fellowship with Him, not out of fellowship with God. Not just a child of God, but you need to be close to the Lord. A relationship needs to have been developed between you and the Father; one in which you can clearly know God’s voice when He’s leading you and speaking to you.
Never let it be a case with you where all heaven stops because they hadn’t heard your voice in decades. Nor let it be with you that the only time that heaven hears from you is when you need something. On the contrary, develop a relationship with the Father where the Father can speak to you and you can speak to Him.
What does it take to become an abider?
Putting God’s Word in your heart, for one thing. John 15:7. The truth that is alive in your heart is the truth that you act on every day. Truth comes alive in you when you think about it, meditate on it and apply it to your life, so at the moment of danger, the Word of God is your first thought.
Take the 91st Psalm into yourself daily until it becomes engrafted in your heart. Remember this: it’s the Word that you act on today that will get you delivered. It is not what your heard last year. It isn’t even what you know. It is what you do. Keep yourself full of God’s Word and you will do it.
Another definition of abiding is simply obeying. 1John 3:6 says, “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not.” The reverse of that is also true – whoever sins (or is disobedient) does not abide in Him.
It is a good thing that we live in the time of grace and mercy and it is never too late to call upon the Lord. But you have to know that you need to live close to Him and abiding in the Word (God’s wisdom revealed to us) or it will be difficult for you to call on Him in faith when calamity comes.
Don’t live day after day by the world’s standards, because when a crisis comes it will be hard for you to take your dependence off the world and put it on Him.Pro 1:29-31
In other words, if you are going to live like the world, your outcome is going to be like that of the world. Pro 1:33
Prov.1:33 is exactly the protection that I like to know; it is promised to you and me!
Learn more about “Abiding Under The Shadow of The Almighty” in my book by clicking here!
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Thanks Olga. It is so true and growing up watching people who were only going to church because it was expected or to get forgiveness for the bad stuff they did during the week really turned me against church. Thankfully today I am living closer to God but still won’t go to church.
I am sorry to hear that Michael and I pray that you will find a church where you can experience that feeling of belonging because that is what church can mean to you. Church is meant to be as family to you where you can grow and where all your gifts and talents will flourish.
Faith is such a personal thing — thank you for sharing yours! I’ve often heard it said that going to church doesn’t make you any more of a Christian than standing in the garage makes you a car. We each have to examine our own heart and decide in whom our faith lies 🙂
Faith is personal Becky because faith is our personal relationship with God and it comes from our heart indeed!
Many powerful messages in this article! We are promised much but must also understand we must do our part! Reminds me of my mother saying “follow the rules and you’ll have a happy day!” Thanks Olga!
Thanks Denny, always love it when you visit my blog!!
I love all your posts Olga! Thank you for sharing your beautiful faith!
Yes Mandy, faith is beautiful isn’t it?
Thank you, Olga. Your words continually inspire me!
Thanks Mary; it’s the word od God that does that!
Wow, Olga! The beginning of your article jumped out at me like a word picture. Your words “to be in a shadow, you have to be near that person” made me also think that most of the time, that probably means you are behind them, too… hence, God is leading us. Very cool! Thanks for such a great post.
Thanks Jessica for your excitement; the word of God build images on the inside of us that are VERY powerful when we use them.
We were memorizing Psalms 91 after 911 happened. It sure builds faith, stronger mindset and believe.
I know people who are doing that after 911, I like that idea!!
I love this post Olga. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Kerry for letting me know, that always is an encouragement for me!
It is so important to get to know the Father; we are safe in Is presence. The other day my friends asked me to go somewhere, but I didn’t feel right about it at all so, I didn’t go. My friend who went without me didn’t have a good time after all; they were attacked by some strange guys; everything turned out ok, but I really had to think. We are only safe when we stay under His protection.
Thanks Olga for sharing and spreading the word! Kara
“Going to church does not make you close to God” ~ Amen! Thanks Olga, I know many people I need to send this article to!
I think some of the problem when it comes to having a relationship with God lies in parents making their kids go to church. It can result in turning kids against church, and therefore God, forever. But, I’m not sure what the answer is, since not going to church deprives kids of even having the choice. A person’s relationship with God is unique and personal, so I just try to leave all options open to my kids. They tend to share my spiritual beliefs at their young age, but I’m prepared for that to change!
Thank you Olga for sharing this with all of us. These are words of wisdom and definitely a blessing. Continue doing the good work.