The Unloved Verse

My dear friend Julie led bible studies for ladies at our church when she lived here. To hold our attention, and lure us to actually show up, and keep us smiling; she would treat us with chocolate, silly games and even surprise gifts. During our last study before she moved out of the area, she made these beautiful tiles for all of us ladies in the group.

I was so excited when I saw my tile. Until I looked closely. {disclaimer: Julie, stick with me here, lol} I have to be honest, I was totally bummed when I read the featured verse. I had hoped it would have been my favorite one or at least one that I remotely understood. But I stared at my tile in bewilderment. All the other ladies were oooohing and aaaahing over theirs. I secretly frowned. It was beautiful, but I just didn't get the verse. What does that even mean "He who dwells in the shelter... will rest in the shadow..."?? Frown.

Now, don't get me wrong; I have used my tile every day since she first presented it to me. It sits on my desk at work, I use it as a coaster. I probably want to keep coffee cups on there to cover up the verse. In the first few weeks of use, I would occasionally set my coffee cup too far over on the edge and it would tip over. I would grumble and glare at the darn tile. My tile now has several coffee stains. Frankly, until tonight, I only treasured it as a sweet gift from a dearly loved friend. You know, like an ugly sweater that your sweet grandmother hand-knitted for you. You can't throw it away. But you don't want to wear it for a night on the town.

Tonight, however, I finally got the verse. Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I am in a dark valley. Hurting. Questioning. Feeling abandoned. Asking Why???? Isn't God hearing me? Doesn't He care?

I watched the final video of Beth Moore's Esther study tonight. Long overdue; I finished the study six weeks ago, I just haven't had the time to sit down and watch it. It could not have come at a better time. It's as if God saved it for me, for such a time as this. {wink, wink}

In Beth's closing remarks, she references this verse. She poignantly states "God is never more 'there' than when you can't see Him..." Paraphrasing her, I understand this verse with the tenderness of this: In my darkest time, He is hiding me in His shadow. I am not forsaken.

Hide me, Beloved. Let me know it and feel You.