He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. ² I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” (Psalm 91:1–2)

Sometimes we need the protective confines of a safe place—time to regroup, an anchor point. David sought shelter in caves, particularly those at Adullam (1 Sam 22:1) and Engedi (1 Sam 23:29, 24:1-3). David was unlike those today who think of faith as trusting God and then doing nothing human. He saw faith as a partnership with God, and he never lost sight of the fact that God was the supremely senior partner. In faith, David did his part, which was to hide in caves.

While we do not know the author of Psalm 91, his experience was similar to and could easily reflect what David experienced while hiding in the caves. He was an astute military man, knowing when to fight and when to withhold fighting, when to boldly thrust forward and when to retreat to the caves that so frequently served as a fortress, largely impregnable and safe.

But if he was trusting God, then why hide in a cave? Why not just go boldly forward? That is a reductionist faith, an irresponsible faith. The psalmist saw the cave as God’s protection, and he intoned in his prayer that belief. At any time, the cave could be found out and either invaded by a superior army or barricaded to force starvation. In fact, one day David’s nemesis, Saul, did wander into the cave where David and his men hid. In that situation, the cave provided the perfect opportunity to pounce on Saul and kill him when he least suspected it (1 Sam 24:3). Not only did God provide a refuge, but God used the cave to give David the upper hand!

Today, when we trust God, we cannot claim faith when we sit back and do nothing. We must act according to that belief. If it means seeking refuge from physical danger, then we need to do that in faith, trusting that God provides the refuge beyond what our efforts alone will provide. The point is, as we go through life, dealing wisely and prudently with the struggles of a fallen world, we don’t go about recklessly, but walk in the knowledge that He is oue “refuge.” He is our shelter and our fortress. Everywhere we go His shadow of protection will encompass us. Our task as we walk through life on this planet is to “abide in the shadow of the Almighty,” for nothing is greater than He; nothing can break through His impenetrable barriers, for He is the Most High (Elyon).

Lord, when I am weak, fearful and feel threatened, I take refuge in You, because that is the safest place in the world. In You, I am secure. Praise God.