In the Shelter of the Most High

He who sits upon the throne will shelter them with his presence. (Revelation 7:15)

Rev. 7.4-17, Ex. 33:14; Ps. 57:1; 73:28; 91:1; 145:18; Isa. 43:2; James 4:8

What Is God Saying?

John's Apocalypse in Revelation has been subject to speculation and controversy about its symbolic nature. In Revelation, John tells of a scroll that contains the world's destiny with seven seals to be opened. No one, except the Lamb, the crucified yet conquering Christ, was worthy to break the seals. Our verse comes between the 6th and 7th seals. That is between the disastrous events of God's judgment on the earth and the total victory recorded in the 7th seal. We know that, however one interprets this marvelous book of pictures, it is rooted in history. Christ is the Lord of history. The events of the world never get out of God's hands. He is in control. The same Lord whose presence sheltered Christians in Nero's days shelters believers in our day. He is on the throne, and he will shelter us with his presence, now, and through all trials to come.

How Does This Apply To Us?

This passage tells us of one who is worthy to open the seals, one who holds the key of destiny itself, one who someday can and will tell us why. Are we letting him control our destiny? He controls history, but does he control our conversations, our attitudes, our desires, our dreams? Does he put us back on our feet when we have fallen? Does he pour his healing balm on our wounds? Does he call us to a certain and wonderful future? It depends on whether we are willing to let the one who controls the course of history control our lives. It depends on whether we are willing to let the one who sits upon the throne shelter us with his presence.

Pray With Me

Thank You, Lord, for this assurance-I am sheltered by the presence of one who sits upon the throne. Others may look for shelter in things that pass away, such as money or possessions or comforts, or fame. Others may look for help from well-meaning friends, and such help is one of life's blessings, but the counsel of the best of friends is liable to lead astray, and their loyalty, prized as it is, cannot outlast the frailties of our common nature. I choose instead to remain in the sheltering presence of one who is forever on the throne. Your presence, Lord, is enough, just your presence, Lord.

When I am sheltered with your presence, I do not feel the discouragement of those who wage a lonely, losing battle, for the presence by which I am sheltered is none other than that of the conquering and reigning Lord, before whom every knee shall one day bow. When I am sheltered with your presence, Lord, I enter into the experience of the psalmist who said, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust.’” When you, with the grace of forgiveness, rise as a great wall against all the fears and failures of the past, your boundless love transforms today into an experience of joy, an unquenchable hope that turns aside despair, and darkest night falls back against the lovely onslaught of dawn. I am sheltered by the presence of one who is on the throne. For this reason, I will not fear, I will not doubt, I will not complain. I will live in the joy of a confident faith. I conquer in the strength of an undying hope. I rest in the security of an invincible love.

To the eternal praise of Christ. Amen.

Moving On In The Life of Prayer

"He who sits upon the throne will shelter them with his presence." There is no better way to experience our Lord's presence and to discover the riches and joy of his sheltering care than through prayer. Put Psalm 91 to the test, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides m the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust."'