Grace and Truth
(Chapter 17 from Dr. Hyle's excellent book, Grace and Truth)
THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY
Psalm 91:1, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
In England there used to be a man called "Jack the Huckster," who used to sing constantly, "Im a poor sinner and nothing at all, but Jesus Christ is my all in all." He seemed to have constant composure. They would ask him if he ever doubted, whereby he would say, "I'm a poor sinner and nothing at all, but Jesus Christ is my all in all." Someone would ask him if he ever had any ups and downs. He would simply reply, "I'm a poor sinner and nothing at all, but Jesus Christ is my all in all." He came to church a-rid the pastor asked him to prove his salvation whereupon he replied, "I'm a poor sinner and nothing at all, but Jesus Christ is my all in all." Someone asked him one time if he ever got proud. He answered, "I'm a poor sinner and nothing at all, but Jesus Christ is my all in all. " He was once asked what he did for his needs. His reply was, "I'm a poor sinner and nothing at all, but Jesus Christ is my all in all."
He was right. God has provided for all of our needs. In telling us of these provisions, He uses the figure of speech of a shadow. It is used so often. There are at least four times a shadow is mentioned in the Bible.
1. The shadow of a rock. Isaiah 32:2, "And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." This is the kind of shadow that has to do with hiding in a cave. It is the shadow of salvation.
When I was a kid I used to play in a creek near our house. There was a cave made in a big rock. I would go there in case of a storm. I found safety and refuge. This is the only place the individual can find salvation-in the shadow of the Rock. That Rock is Jesus. Someone has said, "Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me bide myself in Thee." Another has written, "I am hiding in the shadow of the Rock." Someone else said, "On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."
2. The shadow of His hand. Isaiah 59:2, "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear." This is the shadow of security. This takes us to John 10:27-30, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, Which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one." Then it takes us to Revelation 1:16, "And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength." We are safe in the shadow of the Rock. We are secure in the shadow of His hand.
When our children were young they would hold onto my index finger as we walked down the street. Sometimes we would come to a mud puddle or a dangerous place and I would hold onto their hands. Sometimes Becky would say, "Daddy, I want to hold onto your hand." She would do so until she stumbled and lost her grip. Finally she realized the best thing was for her to let Daddy hold her hand. This is the case of the Christian. Our security is in the shadow of His hand.
3. The shadow of His wings. Psalm 63:7, "Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice." This is the shadow of safety and it makes us rejoice. David was banished to a barren land. During the storms he saw the birds as they would fly. As he saw them lift their wings high he reminded himself that he was safe in the shadow of God's wings. Oh, busy mother, you can be a child again. Busy father, you can be a child again. Busy pastor, you can be as a tender child of God hiding in the shadow of His wings.
4. The shadow of His tree. Song of Solomon 2:3, "As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste." This is the shadow of sustenance. The tree provides shade. The tree also provides fruit.
Ah, praise the Lord, He has for us a shadow of salvation, a shadow of security, a shadow of safety and a shadow of sustenance. Yes, He will supply all of our needs. Let us rejoice in the shadow of the Almighty.
More Life Changing Sermons and books by Dr. Jack Hyles:
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