The shadow of God is not the occasional resort, but the
constant abiding-place, of the saint. Here we find not only our consolation, but
our habitation, not only a loved resort, but a home. We ought never to be out of
the shadow of God. It is to dwellers, not to visitors, that the Lord promises
his protection. "He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide
under the shadow of the Almighty": and that shadow shall preserve him from
nightly terror and ghostly ill, from the arrows of war and of pestilence, from
death and from destruction.
Guarded by omnipotence, the chosen of the Lord
are always safe; for as they dwell in the holy place, hard by the mercy
seat, where the blood was sprinkled of old, the pillar of fire by night, and the
pillar of cloud by day, which ever hangs over the sanctuary, covers them also.
It is not written, "In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his
pavilion, in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me"? What better
security can we desire? As the people of God we are always under the
protection of the most High. Wherever we go, whatever we suffer, whatever may be
our difficulties, temptations, trials, or perplexities, we are always
"under the shadow of the Almighty."
Over all who maintain their fellowship with
God, the most tender guardian care is extended. Their heavenly Father himself
interposes between them and their adversaries. The experience of the saints,
albeit they are all under the shadow, yet differs as to the form in which that
protection has been enjoyed by them, hence the value of the four figures which
will now engage our attention.
The Lord Jesus was unto us a covering for sin, and so
a covert from wrath. The sense of divine displeasure, which had beaten upon
our conscience, was removed by the removal of the sins itself, which we saw to
be laid on Jesus, who in our place and stead endured all its penalty.
The shadow of a rock is remarkably cooling, and so was
the Lord Jesus eminently comforting to us. The shadow of a rock is more
dense, more complete, and more cool than any other shade; and so the peace which
Jesus gives, passes all understanding, there is none like it.
No chance beam darts through the rock shade, nor can the
heat penetrate as it will do in a measure through the foliage of a forest: Jesus
is a complete shelter, and blessed are they who are "under his shadow."
Let them take care that they abide there, and never venture forth to answer for
themselves, or to brave the accusations of Satan.
As with sin, so with sorrow of every sort: the Lord is the rock
of our refuge. No sun shall smite us, nor any heat, because we are never
out of Christ. The saints know where to fly, and they use their privilege. When
troubles, like a burning sun, Beat heavy on their head, To Christ their mighty
Rock they run, And find a pleasing shade.
[Charles H. Spurgeon]
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Isaiah 32:2 ... And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
Isaiah 49:2 ... And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
Song of Solomon 2:3 ... As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
Psalm 91:1 ... He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. ❤
