In the post about a Different View of Homelessness, I reflected on how Jesus was homeless. But in contemplating that more over time, I don’t really think of it that way. Even though He didn’t have a home on earth, he definitely had everything He needed in His True Home. In other words, He had His dwelling in the Most High.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most Highwill rest in the shadow of the Almighty.Psalm 91:1
God provides shelter in Himself when we don’t have shelter. And He loves us all, even when we do the worst of things. Even when we create disaster for those without shelter.
Groups of our homeless neighbors along the river have turned against one another. Some have had their tents vandalized or thrown into the river. Some have had what little they own stolen. And some have returned to find their tents on fire.
How could this happen? How could anyone harm the helpless, especially knowing exactly what it feels like to be helpless?
I don’t really have an answer for this. But I assume that people without rest, especially without rest in the shadow of the Almighty, are suffering. And that in time, that suffering may drive them into self-preservation mode, and a stance of being perpetually on-guard. It would be easy to default to an inward focus on self, rather than an outward focus for others. If you’ve ever suffered, you know it can be difficult to think of much aside from your own needs at the time.
Of course that’s no excuse for setting someone’s tent on fire. A cool thing influenced my reaction to all of this though; while I was thinking of my friends living in tents who may be afraid to sleep at night, afraid of disaster, I came across this verse.
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”and you make the Most High your dwelling,no harm will overtake you,no disaster will come near your tent.”Psalm 91:9-10
Amen. There is no shelter safer than the shelter of the Most High. Even when we are outside sleeping in the cold and in the dark, afraid of our enemies, God is our Holy Tent. Just like Jesus did when homeless, we must make our dwelling in the Most High.
How sweet it is to know that there’s nothing to fear, even when the only thing between us and our enemies in this world is the thin wall of a tent.
When we went to take some replacement items to the tents, we were thrilled to find other people already giving and providing. God was taking care of His own! Already with immediate response He was rebuilding and restoring with faithfulness, provision and protection.
He will cover you with His feathers.He will shelter you with His wings.His faithful promises are your armor and protection.Psalm 91: 4
When we have nothing we can choose to have everything by resting in the shadow of His wings. Imagining God’s wings isn’t exactly easy. In my mind they’re basically just beyond comprehension and span the heavens. Not just Earth or the Milky Way, or the Universe, but Time Itself.
Ironically I’m writing this while on an airplane. And although flying sometimes causes me to think about my safety, it’s not the wings on a pilot’s uniform or the wings on this plane that I trust, but the wings of the Almighty.
Because I know safety can only be found in the Most High and under the shadow of His limitless wings.
Wow… powerful post, Lynne! Its so eye-opening to read “no disaster will come near your tent,” when you have the vivid image of a literal tent by the river with looming disaster. Taking hold of that promise is powerful. God is strong, and He is near.
Thanks T! I thought the exact same thing! It was awesome when I looked up multiple translations and they all consistently said the word “tent.” It’s great to know that whether living in a house or tent, we have the safest shelter possible in Him.
So very insightful!! Thank you for reminding me of God’s never changing nature!
Thanks Rose! You’re exactly right. God is so consistent and faithful. Thanks again for reading my posts and commenting, it means a lot!
We want to come. I have bedding and towels!
Thank you so much! We’d love to have you join us; I’ll reach out to you.