Resting in God

Psalms 91 is a great psalm of comfort for those who are facing trouble and a psalm of hope for those who are not. It begins with, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty".

This verse says it all. Everything else in the psalm expounds on this one idea that as we dwell in the Lord, we will be at rest under his protection. In the midst of danger we can rest in Him. In the midst of trouble, we can rest in Him. The primary root of this word "rest" here in Hebrew is to "stop" (usually over night). When we stop at God's house we will have a good night sleep because we will be secure and calmed in our spirit. We will stop worrying. We will stop being afraid. We will stop our toil and struggle. We will stop fighting in our own strength. We will stop using our own wisdom. We will stop trying to do things in our own strength.

Why do we stop doing all these things? We stop them because we understand God is control. We stop them because we trust in His love, power, and protection. We stop these things because we are in His glorious presence. We stop them because God is our refuge and fortress.

Those who are in an abiding relationship with God. Those who are in God's will. Those who walk in obedience. They can rest in Him for He will cover them even as a mother hen covers her chicks. They can rest because He has commanded His angels to watch over you. They can rest in Him because He loves them.