The Shadow of the Almighty

Psalms 91:1

He that dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the most Almighty.

David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, penned these words over 3000 years ago. What a pleasant thought, to be hid in the shadow of the Almighty. To have his wonderful protection and all the security of knowing that our loving Father is protecting us as a mother hen protects her brood.

What does it really mean though? Where is this secret place? Am I hid there? How can this grace and protection be found?

When we look at the life of David, one thing stands out. David was constantly being chased through the mountains as fugitive and an enemy of the state. He was betrayed by his friend, and chased again by his own son through the mountains after he was made king. He knew hardship and heartache and yet, when we read his words to this day, they ring with joy and praise and comfort. Words that have ministered to generations, of the goodness and mercies of God, ring true in our own hearts today. This secret place, it can not be a place of ease and relaxation.

David casts more light upon where this secret place is in Psalm 18:11 when he reveals that God "made darkness his secret place". If you want to find God's secret place, be prepared to go into the darkness. Without a trial of faith, you will never find that secret place. You will never know what it means to be hid in the shadow of the most high.

There is a wonderful depth to the meaning of living in the shadow of the Almighty. It can be tied directly to the scripture in Revelation 19:10 where the Angel told John, "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

Throughout the ages the Almighty has always had his faithful ones hid in his shadow. Think of a shadow as a silhouette cast upon a wall. The shadow casts an image of the one whose shadow it is. If we are hid in the shadow of the Almighty, we are hid in the image of him cast upon this earth. This is the privilege of his people. This is the spirit of prophecy the Angel was talking about. This is "the shadow of the Almighty" that we are honored to walk in.

All of us, Solomon said, "spend our life as a shadow" *(1). The question is; whose shadow shall we live in?

James also tells us of a shadow that has no place in the Almighty. It is the "shadow of turning" * (2). This shadow was first cast upon this earth by Lucifer and followed quickly by Adam and Eve, to their own hurt. James admonishes us, that though we are tempted, "Do not err", and to lay aside all the filthiness of this world, and receive with meekness God's word. This is key to living in Christ, and abiding in God's shadow of protection.

Look at Jacob's son Joseph. Here is an astounding testimony of faith, and the love of God that lived in him. We see that through terrible injustice and persecution, the testimony of Jesus and the Spirit of Prophecy break through as a bright and shining light showing the image of Jesus Christ to come upon this earth. *(3)

Joseph was hated of his brethren - as Jesus was.

Joseph's brethren conspired against him to kill him - as did the high priests of the Jews to Jesus.

Joseph was cast into a pit without water - as Jesus went to hell itself.

Joseph was stripped of his garments - as Jesus was.

Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver - Jesus was infamously sold for 30.

Joseph was sold to the gentiles - as Jesus was.

Joseph became the head of the heathen - as was prophesied of Messiah and as Jesus fulfilled.

In the end Joseph's brethren acknowledged his Lordship and were saved - as is prophesied and will be fulfilled when the Jews turn to Christ, and all Israel shall be saved.

Through all his trials Joseph's testimony stands strong. It is because of the faith God put in his heart, that he was able to endure such incredible temptation. It was this same heart that refused the shadow of turning when tempted. Josephs stands throughout the generations as an image of Christ to come. This is the honor of the priesthood of God!

This is the shadow of the Almighty. This is the testimony of Jesus, and the Spirit of Prophecy.

* (1) Ecclesiastes 6:12

* (2) James 1:17

* (3) Genesis 37

My thanks to Crosswalk.com, having an online concordance is truly a blessing and an asset.

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