IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD
Terry R. Baughman
“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. … You shall not be afraid….” (Psalm 91:1-2; 5).
In the presence of God we find shelter, defense, salvation, and confidence in His unfailing attributes of strength. To be in His presence is to seek His involvement in our lives and to acknowledge His intervention in our time of need. We can create a space to live in His presence as we “abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” This indicates His oversight and nearness. This is “the secret place of at the Most High” of which the Psalmist wrote.
In His presence we find a defense against all opposition. Because of His enduring quality of strength, as the “Almighty” and the one “Most High,” we have tremendous trust in Him. We can say, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” A refuge is a safe place, a hideaway, a shelter of security. A fortress provides protection from the attacks of the enemy. It is a secure compound to protect those who flee to its boundaries and they are defended by its forces.
God is the ultimate protection from the onslaught of natural or demonic forces. The prophet recorded the word of the Lord, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17); and again, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19). Trust in the Lord and allow Him to direct your steps! (See Proverbs 3:5-6.)
We have the promise of God’s deliverance from the traps that have been set to ensnare us. The fowler sets a trap or a net to catch birds. This imagery was used by the psalmist to illustrate the craftiness of the enemy and the subtle snares he may set to bring us into captivity. Living in the presence of God provides assurance that we may be kept safe from his snares and delivered from the traps of evil. Our prayer should be, “And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). He is our deliverance and our salvation.
Jesus prayed over Jerusalem and wept over their destiny, “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37). Jesus used the same imagery expressed in the Psalm, “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge” (Psalm 91:4). There is a covering promised to those who will run to Him and seek shelter. He will be a covering. Not only has He clothed us with righteousness He will shield us from evil. His truth protects us and secures our salvation.
Because of the security promised and provided by our closeness to the One who is the Almighty we have great confidence in Him. There is no need to be afraid. Day or night, in bright sun or the shadows of evening, there will be attempts against us. In the presence of the Lord there is no need to fear the terrors, the weapons, the pestilence, or destruction. Though thousands may fall, “it shall not come near you” (Psalm 91:7). Why? “Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place” (Psalm 91:9).
Scripture:
“For He shall give His angels charge over you,
to keep you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:11).
Terry R. Baughman
“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. … You shall not be afraid….” (Psalm 91:1-2; 5).
In the presence of God we find shelter, defense, salvation, and confidence in His unfailing attributes of strength. To be in His presence is to seek His involvement in our lives and to acknowledge His intervention in our time of need. We can create a space to live in His presence as we “abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” This indicates His oversight and nearness. This is “the secret place of at the Most High” of which the Psalmist wrote.
In His presence we find a defense against all opposition. Because of His enduring quality of strength, as the “Almighty” and the one “Most High,” we have tremendous trust in Him. We can say, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” A refuge is a safe place, a hideaway, a shelter of security. A fortress provides protection from the attacks of the enemy. It is a secure compound to protect those who flee to its boundaries and they are defended by its forces.
God is the ultimate protection from the onslaught of natural or demonic forces. The prophet recorded the word of the Lord, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17); and again, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19). Trust in the Lord and allow Him to direct your steps! (See Proverbs 3:5-6.)
We have the promise of God’s deliverance from the traps that have been set to ensnare us. The fowler sets a trap or a net to catch birds. This imagery was used by the psalmist to illustrate the craftiness of the enemy and the subtle snares he may set to bring us into captivity. Living in the presence of God provides assurance that we may be kept safe from his snares and delivered from the traps of evil. Our prayer should be, “And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). He is our deliverance and our salvation.
Jesus prayed over Jerusalem and wept over their destiny, “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37). Jesus used the same imagery expressed in the Psalm, “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge” (Psalm 91:4). There is a covering promised to those who will run to Him and seek shelter. He will be a covering. Not only has He clothed us with righteousness He will shield us from evil. His truth protects us and secures our salvation.
Because of the security promised and provided by our closeness to the One who is the Almighty we have great confidence in Him. There is no need to be afraid. Day or night, in bright sun or the shadows of evening, there will be attempts against us. In the presence of the Lord there is no need to fear the terrors, the weapons, the pestilence, or destruction. Though thousands may fall, “it shall not come near you” (Psalm 91:7). Why? “Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place” (Psalm 91:9).
Scripture:
“For He shall give His angels charge over you,
to keep you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:11).
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