Like a tiny screeching fire-alarm, Tinnitus rings in my skull. The noise is getting worse, louder, more distracting, so loud that sleep has become difficult. A fan whirs in our bedroom, next to me a sound machine mimics falling rain, but neither can drown out, and nothing stops the shrieking noise from ear damage. I try to focus beyond the sound, look to God, force my mind to pray and praise, to concentrate beyond the constant maddening noise. The times I’m successful, peace and sleep bring blessed relief.

Life is full of difficult distractions screaming and screeching for attention. Help is so needed to help make it through. Psalm 91 brings hope, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. … He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge.” The word “dwelling” in the original Hebrew means to sit, remain, and stay.

Dwelling in God’s shelter is a decision, choice, and focus. Every moment, we are given a choice to remain and stay in the shelter of God where we are blessed to abide in His shadow, safe under the refuge of His wings.

How does this look in the craziness and screeching noise of everyday life? Fortunately, Jesus is our perfect example. Even though life was messy and hard while Jesus walked this earth, He kept focused on His Heavenly Father.

Jesus did as directed by God and went about doing good, healing, feeding, teaching, performing miracles, and proclaiming the Good News. Even when faced with the cross, Jesus’s focus remained steadfast for the “joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2).

The joy of Jesus was beyond the cross. He came, died and rose again, to be a perfect sacrifice of God’s grace and mercy to offer all who would accept His hope, joy, peace, and eternal life. Jesus walked in the shadow of His Father, and we too can walk in the shadow of the grace of our Father and Savior, Jesus Christ.

True life is beyond this life. Earth is not your true home, you’re only passing through, and amazing things await at the finish line in heaven. You are here for this time, to make an impact for all eternity.

Dwell in the shadow of God’s wings, sheltered in His refuge, and for the joy set before you, press forward, reach for the upward calling to share the good news, run your race, keep your eye on the eternal prize, show yourself approved as a workman for Jesus Christ, be about your Heavenly Father’ s business, for a joy-filled eternal crown awaits.

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our help and in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. Thank You that You will make known to us the path of life. Thank You that in Your presence we are given fullness of joy and at Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Help me to set my mind and keep focused on the heavenly things above, not on the temporary things on the earth. Thank You that my new, real life is hidden with Christ in God, and one day I will be in the glorious presence of my Savior.

God’s Timeless Truth

“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings” (Psalm 36:7 NKJV).

“May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge” (Ruth 2:12, NASB).

“Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings” (Psalm 17:8, NASB).

“Let me dwell in Your tent forever; let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings” (Psalm 61:4, NASB).

“For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy” (Psalm 63:7, NASB).

From Time with The Timeless One by Lisa Buffaloe, https://amzn.to/2L99sAb