The other day, I had an interesting visual. A mass of people with angry faces fought and argued. Without fear or anxiety, I walked along an open pathway between them, my appearance merely a shadow as I moved unhindered and free through the crowds.  

In the midst of our divisive world with people fighting and arguing, I realized God has given a choice, an opportunity, to walk free. Anger, division, and trials will come. One look at the news, or a few minutes on social media, and the world seems to be a powder keg waiting to explode. However, we are given a beautiful truth in the book of Isaiah. “You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].” ~ Isaiah 26:3-4 (AMPC)

If we commit our mind, leaning on and hoping confidently in God, we are given His perfect and constant peace.

During the earthly ministry of Jesus, He encountered much opposition. “Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.” ~ John 8:59 (NKJV) Jesus, concealed and hidden, passed through the midst of them.

We too are given the protection and concealment of God. The Psalms reminds us of God’s great goodness which He stores up for those who fear Him, for those who take refuge in Him. He hides them in the secret place of His presence, sheltered in the shadow of His wings. Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He will be with us, and in the shadow of His wings we can sing for joy.

Psalm 91 reminds us that when we dwell in the secret place of the Most High, we abide in the shadow of the Almighty. He will cover us with His feathers and under His wings we will take refuge. As we run to God, dwell in His presence, and focus our minds on Him, we can rest confidently in His everlasting lovingkindness and hope, nestled in the shelter and shadow of God’s wings. No matter how dark the day or night, you can walk free in the shadow valleys of our wonderful God.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and love. Thank You that You are with me in the shadows. Thank You that I can run to You and hide under the shelter of Your wings. Thank You that You are a hiding place, a strong tower, comfort, and a refuge. Guide me, help me, and protect me in the loving shadow of Your wings.

“How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, before the sons of men! You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues. How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy” (Psalm 31:19-20, Psalm 36:7,  Psalm 23:4, Psalm 63:7 (NASB).

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.’ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. ‘Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.” ~ Psalm 91 (NKJV)

From Time with The Timeless One by Lisa Buffaloe https://amzn.to/3jvHIEN