The psalmist offers a beautiful picture of divine shelter in Psalm 91:1: “The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.”

A shadow is an area that is completely protected by the object of its source. On hot summer days, people sit under the shade of a tree to shield them from the sun’s rays. As long as they remain in the tree’s shadow, the sun can’t touch them. In the same way, believers in Christ rest in the shadow of the sovereign God, where nothing can touch them that’s outside of His divine plan.

When you’re confident that the shadow of the Almighty covers you continuously, you can rest, knowing that you will never drift outside of the Father’s care. Divine protection doesn’t shield you from hardships and trials, but it does guarantee that whatever comes your way has passed through God first; and if He sees fit to allow it, then He has a loving and good purpose in it.

In the darkest and most confusing times, remember that you’re not alone. God is so near, in fact, that His shadow covers you like a shield, protecting you always.

Today, rest quietly and confidently in the shadow of the Almighty.

“Protect me as the pupil of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings” (Ps. 17:8).