Psalm 91:1 (NKJV) He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 (ESV) He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. INTRODUCTION The theme of Psalm 91 is security: God preserves those who abide in Him and love Him. These promises are not for people who run to the Lord only in times of danger but for those who dwell in His presence (v. 1) and make the Holy of Holies their habitation (v. 9)... The abiding life (vv. 1-4) produces the assuring life (vv. 5-13), the life without fear, which leads to the abounding life (vv. 14-16), the life of victory and peace. [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe] COMMENTARY PEARLS When you were a kid, did you ever have a hiding place, a place you would run to when you were afraid or wanted to be alone? God wants to be your hiding place. The good news is that you can retreat to this hiding place wherever you are. Psalm 91:1 tells us, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (NKJV). It is worth noting that the blessings promised in this psalm are not for just anyone. They are specifically given to believers--and not just believers in general but believers who specifically meet the requirements in it. Psalm 91 is full of conditional promises. God promises to do certain things for us, hinging on our doing certain things that are required of us in this psalm. We have a relationship with God because we have put our faith in Jesus Christ and have turned from our sin. But are we living in constant communion and fellowship with God? That is so important. Many people are not. They are not dwelling consistently with God. But the Lord wants you to dwell in the secret place of the Most High. He wants you to be like Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet when He came to visit her home in Bethany. There is a time for busyness. There is a time for work. And there is also a time to worship. Unfortunately we sometimes substitute perspiration for inspiration and work for worship. If you do that, it only will be a matter of time until you spiritually burn out. You can't give out more than you take in. YOU NEED TO LIVE IN COMMUNION WITH HIM. You need to dwell in the secret place of the Most High. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com] We never have to be lonely, because God is always present with us. TO DWELL IN HIS SHELTER IS TO MAINTAIN CONSCIOUS CONNECTION WITH HIM THROUGHOUT THE DAY. We can maintain it by offering short prayers, such as the name of Jesus or You are my refuge or I trust you, Lord. We can also schedule short breaks in the day to meditate on him - his goodness, his love, his faithfulness. The psalmist says to God, "I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory" (Psalm 73:23, 24). God is always, always there, close enough to hold us by the hand, eager to guide us, promising to take us into glory. How amazing it is that right now you are with him. God is our refuge and fortress, the Friend who always stands with us, and he longs for us to seek his presence. [The Daniel Plan 365-Day Devotional] COMMENTARY The Safest Place Her name was "Great Harmony," Yamato in Japanese, and she was the largest, most powerfully armed battleship ever built for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Launched on August 8, 1940, Yamato stood at more than 862 feet long and more than 127 feet wide, was propelled by four steam turbines at 27 knots, and carried nine 18.1-inch guns, the largest ever for a battleship. She represented a kind of national talisman, synonymous with sure victory for Japan. But on April 7, 1945, Yamato was sent on a suicide mission and, after being struck by multiple torpedoes and bombs, sank. No protection can exceed that promised to those who abide in God's presence. Psalm 91 describes scenes of unimaginable carnage: war, pandemic, persecution (vv. 3-6) - with you right in the middle of it all. Notice that God does not remove you from these situations; He protects you through them: "A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you" (v. 7). Today's verse is an especial balm to the Christian who will go through the coming "time of trouble" in the last days (Daniel 12:1). Even in the face of death, believers know that their eternal life is safe in the hands of the Most High. So don't put your hope in manmade weapons of mass destruction, for they can never ensure victory; they can promise only a sure death. Rather, claim God's promise by placing your life in the "refuge" that is God Himself; hide yourself within the "fortress" that will never fall (Psalm 91:2). Says Psalm 90:2, "Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God? Only the everlasting God can promise sure victory in your eternal salvation. Everlasting God, every day I commit my life into Your powerful and protective hands, choosing to abide under Your shadow. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts] "I'D HATE TO BE OUT in that!" The storm hit suddenly on this super-heated summer night. From the comfort of our family room, I'm watching it rage. Trees whip in the wind. The roll of thunder seems unending. Rain pelts our metal roof with the fierceness of hail. As I sip tea and note an especially strong flash of lightning, gratitude swells. I'm glad I'm not out in that. But I could be ... out in life's storms. Unprotected from the harsh words, the biting winds of disappointment, the endless roll of anxiety. Instead, Jesus has invited me inside to take refuge in His shelter. Let the winds blow. I'm safe, secure, aware of what rages outside but undamaged by its fury. I'm living through what threatens because I accepted His invitation to ride it out within the shelter of His love and grace. Shelter, or Refuge, is one of my favorite attributes of Jesus. Like my taste in favorite songs, my favorite attribute changes depending on the circumstances. Some days it's Jesus as Healer, or as Provider, or as Defender. Tonight, as the storm roars and spits, as it takes trees to their knees and sends anything untethered flying, I rest within the safe shelter of His embrace, grateful that He held the door wide open to welcome me in. And I'll spend time praying for those who are still out in it, soaked and shivering, cold and lost. Oh, one more thing. I'll turn on the porch light so they can find their way to safety. Cynthia Ruchti Faith Step: Is someone within your circle of influence waiting for you to turn on the porch light? Will you? [Mornings With Jesus 2023 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY Psalm 91:1 - Promises with a Prerequisite. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210513-0933.html Psalm 91:1 - Living in God's Presence. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190724-1058.html Psalm 91:1 - Dwelling in the Almighty http://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20160809-1644.html 1 Peter 5:5, 6 - Humility; Avenue of Grace. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230417-0901.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/