May You Dwell in the Shelter of the Most High
September is upon us and churches and nonprofits alike are kicking off their ministry for the Fall. A year ago, most of us expected or at least hoped we’d be beyond the effects of COVID by now. But with the Delta variant causing spikes in cases and hospitalizations, there are still many questions ahead about how it may affect ministry and gathering.
These are difficult days. With the potential need to pivot and flex due to the increasing threat of the Delta variant, the spotlight and further strain COVID has put on the divide in our country, and recent events like the shifting power and violence in Afghanistan and destruction of Hurricane Ida, we are weary. Leaders, congregants and volunteers are experiencing fatigue - fatigue of feeling unsettled, isolated, disrupted and discouraged.
And yet…(Yet is one of my most favorite words. So much potential and hope summed up in one little word!) the Lord does not leave us alone in our despair. Psalm 91 starts:
”Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”
The key here is to “dwell in the shelter of the Most High.” We must be near to God to experience his shadow and know him as our refuge and fortress. Notice the personal use of the possessive adjective “my.” The Lord is not just “a” refuge. The psalmist knows his refuge intimately. In Spurgeon’s commentary on Psalm 91, he writes,
“Every child of God looks towards the inner sanctuary and the mercy seat, yet all do not dwell in the most holy place; they run to it at times, and enjoy occasional approaches, but they do not habitually reside in the mysterious presence. Those who through rich grace obtain unusual and continuous communion with God, so as to abide in Christ and Christ in them, become possessors of rare and special benefits, which are missed by those who follow afar off, and grieve the Holy Spirit of God. Into the secret place those only come who know the love of God in Christ Jesus, and those only dwell there to whom to live is Christ.”
And so Auxilio’s prayer for each of you and for your communities is that you will be people who abide with God. We pray you will dwell with him as full-time residents, rather than visitors. We pray you will know the stability of his shelter, the coolness of his shadow, the peace of his refuge and the joy of his promises more personally and deeply every day. May his word dwell in your richly and his peace rule your hearts.
Auxilio prays for our clients regularly both generally and specifically. If you have prayer requests, please share them with your Partner Strategist who will share them with our team as appropriate.