Many of us knew or heard about some people in our younger days who had rich, famous, powerful or influential parents, relatives or friends. They would not let you forget that they were related to or associated with some big men or big women in the society. They had connections to get things done or to obtain what they wanted. They used those relationships or connections to gain admission to schools, obtain employment, start a business or succeed in business or career.

Those people lived in the shadows of the big men or big women up until they became successful. Thereafter, they would like to come out of the shadows. They do not want to admit that their successes were due, at least in part, to the relationships and connections they seek to deny. Instead, they would like the world to believe that they achieved all their successes entirely by themselves. As they say in America, they want people to think that “they pulled themselves up by their bootstraps.” In other words, they want to prove that that they are “their own men” or “their own women.”

That was not the case with King David. King David was one of those people whom others could say was “his own man.” In fact, he was “ the man” in his days. There was no one like him. Though from a humble background, he was chosen by God as King of Israel and used his relationship with God to succeed as King till he died. David adored and worshipped God with enthusiasm. He derived as much joy in the house of the Lord where he was under the authority of the priest or prophet as he did in his palace where he was the boss. That was why he said that he was glad when they said unto him, let us go into the house of the Lord (Psalm 122:1)

In Psalm 91:1, the Bible says that “he who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” While it is unclear whether or not this particular Psalm was written by David, he lived his life as close to it as possible. Unlike those who downplay their advantages and want to come out of the shadows of the people through whom they became successful, King David dwelt in the shelter of the Most High and rested in the shadow of the Almighty. The closer we are to God, the better our lives shall become. Therefore, like King David, we should dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty. We should cherish our relationship with, and connections to, the Almighty God and give Him all the glory for all our accomplishments and successes – past, present, and future. This means, for example, that if you are a student and you pass your exams, or a worker and you receive a promotion or pay raise, or a businessman or businesswomen and your business excels, or you are in excellent health, it is not entirely because you studied harder or worked harder or exercised or ate better than others. Others may have done all these better than you did and yet they did not achieve the good results you achieved, so give God the glory. The desire to become “your own man” regarding your relationship with the Lord is not the best way to win the Christian race. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said that apart from him, we cannot do anything, and that if we abide in him and he in us, we can ask anything and it shall be given to us (John 15: 1-7).

Many of us seek shelter from natural or human disasters or dangerous situations whenever they occur. These could be hurricanes, tornadoes, torrential rains, fire outbreaks, wars, unemployment, business failures, financial losses, disease outbreaks, catastrophic illnesses or injuries, or deaths in the family. When the disasters or dangers cease, we move out of the shelters and continue with our normal lives. We do not dwell in the shelters. Unfortunately, that is how many of us approach our Christian lives. We seek shelter in the Lord when we face disasters and problems beyond our control. During those hard times, we read the Bible, go to Church, attend fellowships, and pray fervently. Once God answers our prayers, we cease doing those things that brought us closer to Him – we get out of the shelter and away from the shadow of the Almighty. If we have a friend who calls or visits us only when he or she is in trouble and needs our help, but will not have anything to do with us when things are going well for him or her, we would not be happy with that friend. Do you think God will be happy with us if we behave like that friend?

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said that “come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). I invite you to come and rest in the shadow of the Almighty. In the shadow of the Almighty, there is the very presence of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In the shadow of the Almighty, you will find safety and security because the devil cannot penetrate to touch you. And, in the shadow of the Almighty, you will find love, peace, and joy. Therefore, do not be in a hurry to leave the shadow of the Almighty thinking that you have already “arrived,” or you want to be “your own man” or “your own woman” or that you cannot find what you are seeking from God. Whatever good thing a Christian cannot find while at rest in the shadow of the Almighty, cannot be found elsewhere. Your quest to find it elsewhere, may lead you into the waiting arms of the devil. Remember that the devil prowls like a roaring lion seeking whom to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

We are in Lenten Season. In about three weeks’ time, Good Friday and Easter will be upon us. Use these occasions as an opportunity to draw nearer to God and receive His saving grace. You will be glad you did. Life in the shadow of the Almighty, may not be easy – Christ did not promise his followers an easy life – but he promised to be with us till the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). That is good enough for me. By the grace of God, I have been resting in the shadow of the Almighty for over 40 years. I pray that you, too, will join millions of others in Ghana and elsewhere who, by the grace of God, have found Christ, just as the three wise men did, and are resting comfortably in the shadow of the Almighty.

Prayer is the key. May God grant us the grace to seek Him daily through our prayers.

Dr. Daniel Gyebi, Attorney-at-Law, Texas, U.S.A., and Founder, PrayerHouse Ministry, Kumasi, Ghana.

PrayerHouse Ministry is dedicated to providing a quiet facility for Christians to pray individually by themselves without any intermediary priest, pastor or any other person. This is a free service. No money is demanded or accepted. The facility is located at Kyerekrom / Fumesua, near Building and Road Research Institute Offices, one mile off the Kumasi-Accra Road and next to a house called Grace Castle. If you are interested, please contact Agnes at 027-7423815.