Abiding in God's Shadow: Trust Amidst Trials

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Shelter

Dwelling in the shelter of the Most High means living in a state of trust and reliance on God's love, wisdom, and power. This trust is not about avoiding suffering but about finding security in God's eternal purposes. The New Testament parallels in Jude 1:21 and John 15:9 emphasize this life of trust. They call believers to remain in God's love, which is a conscious choice to rely on His wisdom and power, even when circumstances are challenging. This trust is not passive but active, requiring a daily commitment to seek God's presence and guidance. [05:22]

Psalm 62:5-8 (ESV): "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God fully? How can you actively choose to rely on His wisdom and power in that area today?

Day 2: Assurance in God's Sovereign Purpose

The story of Jim Elliot illustrates that abiding in God's shadow does not prevent suffering but assures us of God's sovereign purpose. His martyrdom, seen through the lens of Psalm 91, reflects a life lived in trust of God's ultimate plan. Elizabeth Elliot's perspective, as she titled his biography "Shadow of the Almighty," underscores the belief that God's purposes are fulfilled even in the face of tragedy. This understanding challenges believers to see beyond immediate circumstances and trust in God's overarching plan, knowing that He works all things for His glory and our good. [03:19]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: Think of a difficult situation you are currently facing. How can you shift your perspective to see it as part of God's sovereign purpose?

Day 3: Unshakeable Love in Suffering

Romans 8:32-39 teaches that nothing can separate us from God's love, even in suffering. This passage reassures us that God's love is unshakeable, and His purposes will prevail, making us more than conquerors through Christ. This assurance is not about escaping hardship but about enduring it with the confidence that God's love remains constant. Believers are called to hold onto this truth, especially when facing trials, knowing that God's love is the foundation of their security and strength. [07:59]

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's unshakeable love during times of suffering? What practical steps can you take to focus on His eternal promises?

Day 4: Faithfulness Through Suffering

Biblical figures like Stephen, James, Paul, and Jesus exemplify that abiding in God's shadow involves enduring suffering with faith, knowing that God's purposes are being fulfilled. Their lives show that true victory is found in faithfulness, not in avoiding hardship. This perspective encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, trusting that God is at work even in the midst of trials. By looking to these examples, believers can find strength and inspiration to persevere, knowing that their faithfulness is a testimony to God's power and grace. [04:41]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you faced suffering. How did your faith help you endure? How can you use that experience to encourage others who are currently struggling?

Day 5: Eternal Victory in God's Presence

Revelation reveals that believers conquer through the blood of the Lamb and their testimony, even unto death. This victory is about eternal security and the fulfillment of God's sovereign plan, emphasizing that true safety is found in God's eternal presence. Believers are called to live with the assurance that their ultimate victory is not in earthly success but in their eternal relationship with God. This perspective shifts the focus from temporary struggles to the eternal hope and security found in Christ, encouraging believers to live boldly and faithfully. [09:00]

1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

Reflection: How does the assurance of eternal victory influence the way you live your daily life? What changes can you make to align your actions with this eternal perspective?

Sermon Summary

In Psalm 91, we find a profound promise: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty." This promise invites us to explore what it truly means to dwell in God's shelter and abide in His shadow. The New Testament offers parallels, such as Jude 1:21's exhortation to "keep yourselves in the love of God" and Jesus' command in John 15:9 to "abide in my love." These passages collectively emphasize a life of trust and reliance on God's love, wisdom, and power.

The story of Jim Elliot, a missionary martyred by the Waorani Indians, provides a poignant illustration of this trust. Despite his death, his wife, Elizabeth Elliot, titled his biography "Shadow of the Almighty," reflecting her belief in God's sovereign purpose. This perspective aligns with the understanding that dwelling in God's shadow doesn't guarantee a life free from suffering or danger. Instead, it assures us that nothing can separate us from God's love, as Paul articulates in Romans 8:32-39. Even in the face of death, believers are "more than conquerors" because God's purposes prevail, and His presence is assured.

Psalm 91 does not promise immunity from life's trials but offers a deeper assurance: that God's love and purposes are unshakeable. This is evident in the lives of biblical figures like Stephen, James, Paul, and Jesus, who faced suffering yet remained steadfast in their faith. Their lives demonstrate that abiding in God's shadow means trusting Him to use every circumstance, even suffering, for His glory and our ultimate good.

In Revelation, believers conquer by the blood of the Lamb and their testimony, even unto death. This victory is not about earthly triumph but about eternal security and the fulfillment of God's sovereign plan. Thus, dwelling in the shelter of the Most High is about living in the assurance of God's eternal love and purpose, regardless of life's challenges.

Key Takeaways

1. Dwelling in the shelter of the Most High means living in a state of trust and reliance on God's love, wisdom, and power, as seen in the New Testament parallels of Jude 1:21 and John 15:9. This trust is not about avoiding suffering but about finding security in God's eternal purposes. [05:22]
2. The story of Jim Elliot illustrates that abiding in God's shadow does not prevent suffering but assures us of God's sovereign purpose. His martyrdom, seen through the lens of Psalm 91, reflects a life lived in trust of God's ultimate plan. [03:19]
3. Romans 8:32-39 teaches that nothing can separate us from God's love, even in suffering. This passage reassures us that God's love is unshakeable, and His purposes will prevail, making us more than conquerors through Christ. [07:59]
4. Biblical figures like Stephen, James, Paul, and Jesus exemplify that abiding in God's shadow involves enduring suffering with faith, knowing that God's purposes are being fulfilled. Their lives show that true victory is found in faithfulness, not in avoiding hardship. [04:41]
5. Revelation reveals that believers conquer through the blood of the Lamb and their testimony, even unto death. This victory is about eternal security and the fulfillment of God's sovereign plan, emphasizing that true safety is found in God's eternal presence. [09:00]
** [09:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Introduction to Psalm 91
[00:40] - New Testament Parallels
[01:07] - Jim Elliot's Story
[02:23] - Elizabeth Elliot's Perspective
[03:19] - Understanding Psalm 91
[04:14] - Satan's Misuse of Psalm 91
[05:05] - New Testament Counterparts
[06:15] - Romans 8:32-39 Explanation
[07:30] - Paul's Awareness of Psalm 91
[08:14] - More Than Conquerors
[08:47] - Revelation's Perspective
[09:34] - Triumphant Safety in God
[10:00] - Closing Remarks

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Dwelling in the Shelter of the Most High

Bible Reading:

Psalm 91:1-2
Romans 8:32-39
John 15:9

---

Observation Questions:

What does Psalm 91:1-2 promise to those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High? How is this promise described in the sermon? [00:14]
How does the story of Jim Elliot illustrate the concept of abiding in God's shadow, as discussed in the sermon? [02:23]
According to Romans 8:32-39, what assurances do believers have about God's love and purposes, even in the face of suffering? [06:15]
What New Testament parallels are drawn in the sermon to explain the concept of dwelling in God's shelter? [05:05]

---

Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon interpret the promise of protection in Psalm 91 in light of the suffering experienced by biblical figures like Stephen, James, Paul, and Jesus? [04:41]
In what way does the sermon suggest that suffering can be part of God's sovereign purpose, as seen in the life of Jim Elliot? [03:19]
How does Romans 8:32-39 redefine what it means to be "more than conquerors" in the context of suffering and God's love? [07:59]
What does it mean to "abide in my love" as Jesus commands in John 15:9, and how does this relate to the idea of dwelling in the shelter of the Most High? [05:22]

---

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult situation. How did your understanding of God's love and purposes influence your response? How might the insights from Psalm 91 and Romans 8:32-39 change your perspective now? [06:15]
Jim Elliot's story is one of profound trust in God's plan. Is there an area in your life where you struggle to trust God's sovereignty? What steps can you take to deepen your trust? [03:19]
The sermon emphasizes that true victory is found in faithfulness, not in avoiding hardship. How can you cultivate a mindset of faithfulness in your daily life, especially when facing challenges? [04:41]
How can you actively "abide in God's love" this week, as encouraged by John 15:9? Identify one practical way to keep yourself in the love of God amidst your daily routines. [05:22]
The sermon suggests that believers conquer through their testimony and the blood of the Lamb. What is one way you can share your testimony or faith with someone this week, even if it feels challenging? [09:00]
Consider the idea that suffering can be used for God's glory and our ultimate good. How does this perspective change the way you view current or past struggles in your life? [03:58]
In what ways can you remind yourself of the assurance that nothing can separate you from God's love, as stated in Romans 8:32-39, especially during times of doubt or fear? [07:59]

Sermon Clips

"Well, God is our refuge in our fortress, and in that great refuge psalm of Psalm 91, we're given this glorious promise that he who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. That's the first verse of Psalm 91 and such a high promise prompted APJ listener Anna to write in." [00:04:00]

"Yes, there is a New Testament equivalent, and yes, scripture reading is certainly part of the way you keep dwelling in the shelter of the Most High. But to get at the actual meaning, let's quote the Psalms, Psalm 91, and then look at an event from the life of a martyred missionary, Jim Elliott, whose biography is titled by his wife, Shadow of the Almighty." [00:48:00]

"She’s been asked that question. She’s with the Lord now, but she was asked that question, and I personally spoke to her many times. Most people considered her confidence in God’s sovereignty to be a little bit misplaced. Here was her answer at the end of the book. You can read it on the last pages of that biography." [02:48:00]

"Well, they both meant this: that if God sees fit to let the arrow that flies by day or the spear of a Harani Indian kill one of God’s children, God has done it for the sake of gain. He said to gain what he cannot lose. God has done it for gain, not loss." [03:32:00]

"Neither did Stephen when he was stoned to death, neither did James when he was beheaded, neither did Paul when he was beaten repeatedly with rods, neither did Jesus as he bent down over the cross. None of them understood Psalm 91 to mean that God’s children will never suffer at the hands of their enemies." [04:21:00]

"In other words, dwelling in the shadow of the Almighty and abiding in the shelter of the Most High mean trusting implicitly in the love of God, the power of God to give you everything you need to do his will and glorify his name, whether you live or die." [05:29:00]

"Paul argues that God’s love for his elect, his adopted children, proven in the death of his son Jesus, Romans 8:32, means that he will with absolute certainty 'graciously give us all things.' He who did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all, how will he not with him graciously give us all things?" [06:19:00]

"Christians can keep themselves in the love of God and in the shadow of the Almighty and still be slaughtered like sheep and yet be more than conquerors. So if the arrow that flies by day goes straight into your chest and you drop dead in the cause of Christ, it does not defeat you." [08:01:00]

"Because the very arrow that seemed to get the victory becomes your servant and accomplishes God’s sovereign purpose in the world and God’s saving purpose for your life, his everlasting presence. Here’s how the book of Revelation says it: 'And they conquered Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.'" [08:32:00]

"So they die in persecution, but they conquer Satan. How? This is the answer to Anna’s question. How do you dwell in the shelter of the Most High? They trusted implicitly in the blood of the Lamb that it had absolutely secured for them their future happiness forever, and they opened their mouth and gave testimony." [09:04:00]

"And the fear of death did not stop them, and in that moment they were safe in the shadow of the Almighty, and they conquered the devil, and they entered paradise. I think that’s the kind of triumphant safety that God is calling us to in Psalm 91." [09:31:00]

"Glorious. Thank you, Pastor John, and thank you for the question, Anna. If you have a question like Anna did, you can ask it, or you can search our growing archive, or you can subscribe to the podcast all at desiringgod.org forward slash ask pastor john." [09:48:00]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?

Abiding in God's Shadow: Trust Amidst Trials

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Shelter

Day 2: Assurance in God's Sovereign Purpose

Day 3: Unshakeable Love in Suffering

Day 4: Faithfulness Through Suffering

Day 5: Eternal Victory in God's Presence

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Abiding in God's Shadow: Trust Amidst Trials

Share