Who Can Lift a Shadow?
Some things in the Bible just don’t make sense at first glance. Take, for example, Psalm 91:2-7,
“I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh unto thee.”
We will be safe from traps, from terror in the night, from horrible diseases, and from projectiles. We will be safe when 11,000 people die on either side. This protection doesn’t come from lounging inside of God’s armor plated car with bullet proof glass and oxygen supplies. It comes from being covered by his feathers and under his wings. Feathers aren’t known as tactical weapons. I haven’t heard of any battles being won because of the clever use of feathers. I’ve never seen a war movie that includes the phrase “Don’t worry about bringing more bullets, we need more feathers here!” While feathers must be useful in some situations, I’ve yet to hear about the need to pack feathers along with your greasepaint and ghillie suit before a dangerous mission.
“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me”. — Psalm 17:8-9 (NIV)
He’s faced with wicked people surrounding him and ready to destroy him, and he asks to stand in a shadow? If I was in his shoes, I wouldn’t be interested in the shadow. If I wrote that Psalm, it would be talking a bit more about being safe from my enemies in a castle with a moat and several very large body guards, not hiding in a shadow. But God’s shadow is the safest place to be. Even though you may be surrounded by mortal enemies ready to destroy you, the shadow of God is safer than any underground bunker or armored car. We aren’t invisible in the shadow; the enemy can see us there. We aren’t immune, but we are protected. To be in the shadow implies a close connection. To stay in the shadow we must walk in step with God, as close to His side as we can get.
Armored cars run out of gas. Castles and moats can be captured. But who can lift a shadow? The shadow is invincible. A shelter of feathers in the face of terror, diseases, and arrows sounds about as practical as a pair of scissors made of glitter. We can’t just recline in the backseat of God’s armored car. In the bad times we need to stay huddled under his wing like a baby bird following its mother. We are active participants. We need to walk to stay under that protection. But in those feathers, in that shadow, there is peace and perfect rest. Even though you can see the enemies all around you, and they can see you, as long as you are in the shadow of the Almighty you are safe. No one can lift His shadow to get to you.
Well said. “Who can lift a shadow?” His protection is better than a Castle, but it only makes sense to a saved mind. You did an excellent job!
Wow! I love this! Such a wonderful way to express God’s protection and explain another reason why to walk with Him.
Thank you for sharing.