ForgottenWoman

Doesn’t that count?

There is a racquet club in our town. I’ve visited there – been to a hair salon inside, took my children for swimming lessons there years ago, have walked in and talked to a few people a few times: but I have no access to the outdoor pool all summer, the weight room, the tennis courts. And to be honest, every time I’ve walked through the doors, I knew I didn’t belong there. I was just a visitor. If I want to belong there, I need to pay the fees.

My mom lives in an apartment that is part of a community where they have a dining room, a workout room, a pool, walking paths, and more. I can’t access all of the benefits of the community that the residents have: I don’t dwell there. I’m just a visitor. Occasionally, I eat in the dining room, go to the workout center, and even get in the pool – but only when my mom (who lives there) gives me access.

Many people that I’m acquainted with own and carry umbrellas. Often, I’ve been caught in a downpour that resulted in my getting drenched while others around me stayed dry under the shadow of the umbrella. I didn’t reap the benefits of their covering because I wasn’t close enough. Sometimes, someone would kindly hold their umbrella over my head, and as long as they were present, I benefited – but the minute they and their umbrella walked away; I was again left unprotected from the rain. The covering was temporary – because I didn’t have my own protection to dwell under.

During the summer months, I go to the local pool with some of my children and grandchildren. Around the pool, I can observe others sitting under the shade of the building or umbrellas. As long as they remain under the shadow of the building or under the shade of the umbrella they are protected from the blazing heat and burn of the sun. I, on the other hand, without the shadow or shade, am unprotected – sometimes getting over-heated or burned skin.

Everything that I’ve mentioned above offers benefits and protection. But there are conditions. Those who are assured of the benefits and protection must dwell, abide, and remain.

Now, as seen in the examples above sometimes I benefit from God’s goodness just because he allows it to rain on the just and the unjust. He has provided life to those who love Him and those who don’t. He protects and heals and offers hope to all. But, then there are promises that He gives us that certainly have conditions. The promises of Psalm 91 are life-giving, hope-giving, fear-drowning promises! But they are not for everyone! Visitors can’t claim them. Only dwellers can.

Psalm 91 is absolutely beautiful, and the promises are offered by The Almighty God Who alone has the power to give eternal benefits and flawless protection. How often have we read this Psalm and cried, “Oh, I want that!” or “Oh, I need that!” My question is this – Do I DWELL in the shelter of the Almighty or do I just visit when I’m in desperate need? Do I abide in the shadow of His wings or do I just run to find shade when life gets too tough?

Dwell – means to live there. I dwell in my home. I don’t visit. I visit your home and then I leave. Dwelling means staying. God says that when I DWELL in the secret place of the Most High then… We’re going to talk about the “then” in future articles, but we can’t skip this most important part!

Shadow – I cannot be under the shadow of something that I’m not close to! I can’t go to church sometimes, pray a prayer sometimes, read my Bible occasionally, and consider myself walking closely enough with my God to be abiding under His shadow!

Understand that God’s power is limitless. Yes, He can do anything. He chooses to limit His power in our lives to those who choose Him. He gives us the choice – and you and I determine on our own whether we dwell with Him, hang out from time to time, visit yearly or reject His love and power for our lives.

I want to claim HIs promises so I’m learning what it means to DWELL with Him.