For 21 years, July 31, 1930 to December 26, 1954, people listened to a radio program, which was part of the “Detective Story Hour,” called “The Shadow.” If you are old enough to remember, you were glued to your chair, waiting to hear those chilling words opening the program: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!”
It is written in Psalm 91:1-2, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’” (NIV). It is written in James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (NIV)
With these verses in mind, consider this question: What or where is God’s Shadow? Psalm 91 talks about “God’s shadow,” but James 1:17 says God has no shadow. A number of scholars believe God’s shadow is the power, or the anointing, of God.
Psalm 91, written by Moses, tells about the protection given to believers who “dwell in the secret place” (Psalm 91:1 NIV). The “secret place” is Scripture study and prayer. Scripture study and prayer equals fellowship with God because of what Yeshua has done.
If you outline the ninety-first Psalm, it would be in three sections:
- The conditions,
- Who is the person doing the protection, and
- The extent of that protection.
Who is the protector? All of God’s Glory is represented by His Name. It is written inPsalm 91:14,“Because he has set his will upon me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high because he has known my name.” (Jubilee Bible)
There are four names of God given in the first two Verses. They are:
- “The Most High” which, in Hebrew, is “Elyone,” meaning “lofty and supreme.”
- “Almighty” in Hebrew is “Shaddai,” meaning “the Strong and Mighty One.”
- “Lord,” which, in Hebrew, is not pronounced by the Jewish people; but is called “HaShem” or “The Name.” This is the “I AM” given to Moses at the burning bush. It means “I will be with you wherever you go”.
- “God”, which in Hebrew is “Elohim,” the Creator who made the world from nothing, and the Supreme God of Israel.
How would you like to have Him on your side as your protector?
What is the extent of that protection? Read Psalm 91 and allow the anointing of God to give understanding.
Verse 3 to verse 16 gives you the power of God’s deliverance and protection. It informs you, in verse 5, that you are protected from some attacks you are not aware exists. In Verse 7, it teaches that the ones who fall on your right and left sides are not your enemies, because you normally face, or run from enemies, but other believers who did not fulfill the conditions of the first two verses. In verse 13, it talks about protection from the enemies of your soul.
The most powerful verses in this Psalm are verses 14-16. The personal noun of these verses changes from “He”to “I”.God Himself is speaking through the mouth of the psalmist, showing how the extent of God’s protection is awesome!
Consider this: You are:
- Protected from your front by verses 3,4,5 & 9;
- Protected from your back by verses 3,5 & 9;
- Protected on your right side by verses 3, 7 & 9;
- Protected on your left side by verses 3, 7 & 9;
- Protected from your top by verses 3,4,5 & 9;
- Protected from your bottom by verses 3,4,9 & 13;
- Protected during the day by verses 3,5,6 & 9;
- Protected during the night by verses 3,5,6 & 9;
- Protected inside your home by verses 3,9 & 10;
- Protected by verses 3,10 & 14;
- Protected in this lifeby verses 8,11,15 & 16; and
- Protected in the life to come by verse 16.
Indeed, God’s protection is awesome!