I’m just so tired of it all. How many of us have said something similar–maybe even this week?  Whether it’s the battles we’re fighting daily, or turmoil within, or the chaos swirling in the world around us, it is exhausting us.

It’s ironic that one of the phrases of these times is “shelter at home.” We understand the intended meaning—stay at home to protect yourself from this virus prowling the world. But in these times, so much is going on both in the world and within us, that even “home” cannot offer sanctuary. For some, home might actually be the greatest battlefield, the place of least shelter.    

Is there any place of rest and refuge? As we face the tempest around us and within us, is there any hope of finding sanctuary?

Psalm 91:
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

In the last few weeks, one image from Psalm 91 has dwelled in my mind: living in the shelter of the Most High.

Our Creator God says He will give us the rest we long for. Living in His shadow brings refuge and safety even though the battle rages hotter than ever and seems endless.

This “finding rest” is not an escape mechanism, a desire to simply hide our heads in the sand. To the contrary, we know we are in a great battle; the Scriptures often speak of this and give us instructions and encouragement. The psalmist wrote that God trains us to do battle, to chase down our enemies and grind them to dust. That doesn’t sound much like hiding our head in the sand, does it? Paul writes of putting on the armor God gives us, fighting the good fight, and standing firm in the battle we must fight against dreadful spiritual forces and powers.  

No, there is no such thing as running away and hiding from it all.

But we all do need shelter, a place of safety, a sanctuary of rest, a refuge where our strength will be replenished.

What does it look like to live in the shelter of the Most High? How do we do that?  

I’ve been thinking about dwelling, and where I’m dwelling, and how I can dwell in His shelter—because I want that rest, refuge, and safety.

For the next few Saturday mornings, I’d like to share some of these thoughts with you. I don’t have all the answers, and even when I do “know” the truth, I at times drift away from the right path. I welcome any insights you’ve been given about dwelling in the shelter of the Most High. Please share with all of us in the comments as we go through this series.

To begin, we’ll first need to answer a hard question: Will we believe Him when He says, “Come to me, and I will give you rest and peace, healing and joy”?  

We must believe with a belief that is deeper than saying the words; it must be belief that moves us to action. Then we will go to Him and live there.

I believe Him. I believe He can and will deliver on that promise. So I want to find every way I can to dwell in His shelter.  

And if you don’t yet believe Him enough to seek His shelter, He always answers the honest prayer of Lord, help my unbelief!