One Year Bible: April 23

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1

To read today’s portion of scripture, you can purchase The One Year Bible (paid link) or find the following in your Bible:

Judges 1:1-2:9
Luke 21:29-22:13
Psalm 90:1-91:16
Proverbs 13:24-25

Often when I’m studying for a teaching—or even just studying for myself—I’ll look up both the synonyms and/or the antonyms of a word to see if it helps my understanding.

So while preparing for a retreat entitled “Under His Wing,” which included this verse in Psalm 1, I spent some time awhile back studying the synonyms for the word word dwell:

• • reside
  • inhabit
  • lodge
  • occupy
  • nest
  • perch
  • remain
  • roost
  • stay
  • tarry
  • establish oneself
  • hole up
  • pitch tent
  • bunk
  • park
  • make one’s home
  • exist
  • settle in
  • linger

Looking at that list, it’s easy to see that no one accidentally dwells; nor do they dwell on a part-time basis. Dwelling is a determined choice to plant both your feet in a place and call it home. And if you’re not a dweller, you’re a visitor—it’s either one or the other.

Now contrast that with the synonyms for visit:

• • pop in
  • drop by
  • swing by
  • come by
  • visit
  • make an appearance
  • punch in
  • punch the clock

The invitation to dwell in the secret place of God is an invitation to intimacy, shelter, and identity. Only those who belong to God can hide in His shadow.

Of course, the pace of life makes popping in a tempting option. “I’ll read a verse and say a quick prayer, but then I really have to dash.” And we’ll get a little out of that transaction—a little nibble; a little strength. But the real reward goes to the dwellers: greater intimacy with God, deeper insight, increasing wisdom, clarity of purpose.

We all have the same number of hours in a day. That day will only be enhanced if it’s first been dedicated to God; first been bathed in His presence.