June 1, 2024 - Psalms 81-95

Elisabeth Elliot entitled her biography of her husband, Jim Elliot, who was killed by indigenous peoples in South America, “Shadow of the Almighty”  The psalmist begins his psalm, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’” (91:1-2).  Jim and Elisabeth Elliot trusted fully in the Lord and rested in him.  What a powerful testimony she gave after her husband’s death, and what faithfulness and trust she showed in going with the gospel right to the people who had just murdered her husband.  I am, this morning, thinking about Adam Dorsey, who has suffered from a painful intestinal disorder since 2017, who was with us two weeks ago in Indonesia, and who is now back in the Cleveland Clinic with a bad flare up.  The doctors have even called in the intestinal transplant team to consider options going forward.  Through it all, I have heard Adam, over and over, testify of his trust in the Lord and say, “It is infinitely greater to know God than not to know suffering.”  Amazing, isn’t it?  His suffering has drawn Adam ever closer to God and has provided such sweet fellowship with the Lord in the midst of great suffering.  Indeed, we will say, along with the psalmist and with Elisabeth Eliot and with Adam, “I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’” (91:2).

Call Jehovah thy salvation,

rest beneath th’Almighty’s shade;

in His secret habitation

dwell, and never be dismayed.

There no tumult shall alarm thee,

thou shalt dread no hidden snare;

guile nor violence can harm thee

in eternal safeguard there.   --James Montgomery (1822)