He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty (whose power no foe can withstand).  I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I (confidently) trust! Psalm 91:1-2 Amplified

According to dictionary.com, that word ‘dwell’ means; to live or stay as a permanent resident; reside; to linger over, emphasize, or ponder in thought, speech, or writing. In other words, it’s a permanent place of residence, not a temporary vacation spot.

I’ve heard and seen many people quoting Psalm 91 during the recent virus concerns and the panic and fear that has accompanied it. Shoot, I’ve even used it myself on several occasions and our pastor preached about it a couple weeks ago. But can I camp out on this word ‘dwell’ for a moment this morning?

Psalm 91 speaks of a people who has made the Lord their dwelling place. His covenant promise of protection and health is due to that very simple word. Where you choose to live and who you choose to live in covenant with provides that protection. It’s not something you can name and claim, it’s where you must remain.

Are you following me? This Psalm has been my go-to chapter when something would hit my family or life, when our income was threatened, when our health took a hit, when our children were stupid. I didn’t just speak it in crisis, I memorized it, became acquainted with Who it was written about and what it meant to dwell in His presence.

It’s not about what I can get from Him while doing the minimal requirements. It’s about staying in His presence, surrounded by His glory, knowing that regardless of what I face, He is well able to keep me. Hearing Him call angels on my behalf to surround me and keep me in all my ways. That’s where I choose to remain.

It’s in the good times or the bad times, I remain in His presence. Whether it’s raining or sunny, I remain in His presence. I’m not going to leave, ever. One day in His presence is better than a thousand days in the best vacation spot anywhere.

He has placed His oil of gladness in my heart and lit a fire in me that can’t be quenched. That fire is meant to attract the world to Him so that they too can learn to dwell with Him.

What about you? Are you a dweller or a vacationer? Have you made your home with Him, where His reality is more real than your own? Are you trusting in Him to deliver you and continuing to do what the Father sent you to do or are you hiding in fear, waiting in dread?

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G