Abiding in God

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. ² I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust."

Psalm 91:1-2

These verses are a lovely picture of rest available to those who are joined to God by faith in Jesus Christ.  God is revealed in scripture as unapproachable in everlasting glory.  Moved by love for lost sinners, God has come to us in the person of Jesus to provide a way for all who trust Him to dwell in house of the LORD and rejoice in His presence forever.  The Holy Spirit inhabits those who are born again by the Gospel, and those who follow Jesus will chose to draw near to Him and abide as a branch is connected to the vine.  Jesus is the Vine, and His disciples are the branches He enables to grow and be spiritually fruitful.  Believers have been divinely joined with Christ as members of His Body, and as such we delight to seek Him and experience great delight in His presence.

It is God's will for believers to rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing and in every thing give thanks (1 Thess. 5:16-18).  This is a good description of the attitude of a heart that seeks and glorifies God daily in all activities we engage in.  We have continual opportunity to draw near to God individually, whether at a regular hour or at intervals as we lay aside the business of the day and choose to come away into the presence of the LORD.  To keep the three major feasts in Israel men needed to first leave their farms and shops to travel to Jerusalem to present themselves before the almighty God they feared and obeyed.  Three times a day Daniel in a foreign land opened his widow that faced Jerusalem and prayed to God.  These who dwelt in the shadow of the Almighty could say, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust."

This morning I recalled with fondness an annual retreat I used to bring a youth group to attend in southern California.  One of my favourite times was when a cabin was opened early in the morning for leaders to have devotions alone with the LORD.  It was a chance to read the Bible, pray, take notes and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee by a fire--away from the persistent smell of Axe body spray.  I am convinced the time of prayer by the fire and fellowship with God was not dependent on a fireplace, coffee or the picturesque sight of snow falling outside a cabin but the presence of the Holy God intentionally sought and found by grace.  There is a distinction between being a regular attendee of church services and one who abides under the shadow of the Almighty; not all those who "read their Bible" rest in the grace and mercy of their awesome God.  Every day is an invitation to seek God in secret, to draw near to Him in faith and abide with Him.

Jesus said in John 12:25-26, "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶ If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honour."  Jesus is our life, and He is the only source of eternal life.  What a promise, that where Jesus is His servant will be also!  This closeness, oneness even, promotes fellowship the closest relationships on earth cannot achieve.  Jesus calls to us to come away with Him, and those who love and trust Him delight to set aside occasions to enter His rest because we are His forever.