Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

Psalm 91:1-2

A shelter only protects you when you use it. Just knowing there’s a shelter or seeing it from a distance isn’t going to protect you from any storm raging around you. It won’t keep you dry; it won’t block the wind. Similarly, the only way to be in the shadow of something is to be close to it. Simply seeing a tree’s shadow from a distance will not provide shade from the heat of the sun. 

God wants you to trust Him as your shield and protector. He wants you to live everyday in His presence, not just visit on Sundays. You can only find constant shelter with Him, or be in His shadow, when you are close to Him. And you can be close to Him through prayer and by reading and living His very Word. His presence allows you to experience His peace and protection, no matter what storms or scorching suns may threaten to destroy and burn.

Shelters and shadows protect you from the intensity of whatever is going on around you. The storm still rages, and the sun still blazes, but your experience of them is minimized. The “storms” of life might be illness, financial hardship, relocations, even the death of loved ones. But whatever you face in life, God will be with you. Live in His presence, and He will carry you through any storm. He will never leave your side. You are loved!