KISLEV 8
Rest
“He … who ABIDES
under the shadow of the Almighty” (Ps 91:1 ISR, emphasis mine)
King
David, also known as the ‘Shepherd King’, is the author of Psalm 91, and we
learn much more from this psalm when we attempt to look at it from a shepherd’s
point of view. The Hebrew word
translated as ‘abide’, or ‘find rest’ is the word lûn (Strong’s H3885), and
basically means to lodge, to rest, to stay, often for just overnight. For a shepherd, finding secure shelter for
his sheep at night was a great
priority, so for David to say that there is secure and peaceful overnight rest
in “the shadow of the El-Shaddai”, there is no greater statement of emunah, of faith, trust, and belief,
that could be given.
But
where IS the “shadow of the
Almighty”? We know where a physical shadow is found, in that it is
shade formed by an object, or a person, that has intercepted rays of light,
usually sunlight. We also know that we
need to walk close to another
individual, if we desire their shadow to fall on us. Therefore, if we desire
to find ‘rest in the shadow of the Almighty’, it stands to reason that we need
to cling to our Father very intimately, in order that we might remain in His
shadow …
But
let me approach you with another possibility.
When we discussed the location of “the secret place of the Most High”,
we examined the Ark of the Covenant (Ex 25:17-22). There were two golden angels – cherubim – on
top of the mercy seat, one at each end, with their wings stretched out over the
top, covering the mercy seat. Elohim said
that there, above the mercy seat, was where He would meet with Moses, and speak
with him – perhaps from the shadow created by the wings of the cherubim?
There
are those of us who have seen a mother hen, with baby chicks running around her
feet, wings outstretched over them in protection. Woe to anyone trying to grab one of her
babies; those hens will attack! Yet we do not realize the same pertains to
us, children of the All-Mighty
Father, creator of the universe … under His
wings we are safe and secure.
“Protect me like the
pupil of your eye, hide me in the shadow of your wings …” (Ps 17:8 CJB)
“… you will find REST
for your souls.” (Mat 11:29 CJB, emphasis mine)
©2018
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