Chapter 8: Sheltered by Faith: Ep 3: Faith as Our Fortress: Living Under the Shelter of the Almighty

0:00 Welcome back to the Diary of Black Women podcast. I'm your host Connie Morris and I'm excited to have you join me for the third episode of our series, Sheltered by Faith. Today we'll be exploring the scripture's most powerful promises, God as our refuge and fortress. This episode is titled, Dwelling in God's Shelter, Protection and Refuge. We'll unpack Psalms, no I'm not, slow down here. We will unpack Psalms 91.1 and discuss how to make dwelling in God's presence a daily practice that shields us from life's challenges.

0:49 Let's start with Psalms 91.1. Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This verse is packed with assurance. To dwell means to abide, to remain, or to live in God's presence. It's not about visiting God in times of trouble, but about staying connected to him in every moment. When we dwell in his shelter, we're covered by his protection and find rest in his shadow. Oh, that's so good. Oh, that's so good. It's not like visiting God when you're in trouble.

1:29 It's like staying with God no matter what, good, bad, or ugly times. The image of God as a shelter reminds us of his constant care. He is our refuge, a place of fortress, a face, a place of safety, and our fortress, strong and unmovable against any attacks. Psalms 91 is often called the Psalm of Protection because it contains incredible promises of safety and deliverance. Let's reflect on some examples of God's divine intervention. Consider the Israelites in Exodus. During the final plague in Egypt, God instructed them to place the blood of lamb on their doorposts.

2:18 As a result, the angel of death passed over their home, sparing their firstborns, Exodus 12, 13. How many times have we done anything of such? I mean, we all have our own personal testimony how God has delivered us from harm. I'm cooking and I'm trying to podcast, which is probably not a good idea, ladies out there. And so I smell the food and I'm trying to rush. And I know it's not ready yet, but I'm going to take my time and get through this. But as a retired police officer, I can tell you many times that God has protected me.

3:02 And so I know that God has protected me. And so that's my testimony, some miraculous times that he has protected me. And so we know that Psalms 91 is a powerful scripture. And I was a new Christian, and I can tell you that I experienced some powerful, miraculous events where God has delivered me. But I want you to think about your life when you have experienced God's protection. How did his presence bring peace in that moment? Think about it when we know that we are protected. So how do we practically dwell in a shelter of the Most High?

3:47 Here are three steps. Number one, abide through prayer. Spend intentional time in God's presence daily. Share your heart with him and listen for his voice. The Lord is near to all who call on him and all who call on him in truth. That sounds 145, 18. Meditate on his word. Memorize and meditate on scriptures like Psalms 91. Let his promises anchor your heart, especially during times of fear. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Sounds 119.11. It's always good to know and memorize the scripture because it's so close to you that you can just, you don't, You, you, you'll say it out of your heart from not just from just memory.

4:38 It's just, it's in you. It's who you are. It has become a part of you and declare his protection. Speak God's word over your life. Declare his protection, his promises of protection and peace daily. Words of faith build a spiritual hedge around you. Remember we are sheltered by faith. And so when we believe God, We are sheltered by faith. You know, I have so many different dreams. I remember having this dream and I had on, I had, I don't remember. I was at this dream and I was fighting in my dream, but I also remember I had on my breastplate, my whole armor arm, right?

5:19 And in this dream, as this, whatever I was fighting was trying to take off this armor that I had on. And every time they would take it off, it will replace itself supernaturally. It will just replace supernaturally, you know. And so that reminds me all the time that you want to keep your armor on because God has given to you. And so just like your faith, your faith is your armor. It's your shield around you. It protects you. And so never let that shield just fall down, get low. Keep that shield high. It shelters you. Psalm 91 is that shelter that protects you from what's going on out in the world, what's going on even in the spirit realm, right?

6:05 So you always want to have that faith up. And so when I was like, Lord, what is that? You have a supernatural armor on that shields and protects you that nothing can remove you. And nothing can shake you. And it's put there by your prayer life. You got to understand your prayer life is what puts that shield out there. No prayer life, no shield. So you abide in prayer. You abide in faith. You meditate on the word and you walking around and you are fully armed and protected. Amen. So abide through prayer, meditate on this word and declare his protection.

6:48 Let's take a moment to declare God's promises over our life. I decree and declare that I dwell in the shelter of the most high and I rest in the shadow of the almighty. The Lord is my refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust. Psalm 91 verses 1 and 2. I decree and declare that no weapon formed against me shall prosper, and the blood of Jesus covers me. Isaiah 54, 17. I decree and declare that God's angels are assigned to guard me and my loved ones in all our ways. Psalms 91 11. So this week, I want you to take a habit. I want you to make it a daily habit to pray Psalms 91 over you.

7:32 So you prayer, remember prayer is a shield. Praying and by faith is a double shield over yourself and your family. Write down decrees, create some decrees over Psalms 91 and speak them over your life every day. Shelter by faith. You have to put some action to your words and you don't realize it until a miraculous things happen. And you don't know that you are sheltered because of your faith. Your family is sheltered because of your faith. Shield your house, shield your property. You are sheltered because of your faith. According to Psalms 91, Isaiah 54, amen.

8:16 And so, Just begin to use your mouth and speak out. You can speak out the scriptures, speak them out in faith, create your own decrees. Just build yourself up in your most holy faith. And so that's what I want you to do this week. And so as we wrap up this episode, I want you to remember this. Dwelling in God's shelter is about trusting in his constant care and provision. No matter what life throws at you, his refuge is always available. Stay in the safe place. Dwell in his safe place. Let's pray.

8:58 Heavenly Father, thank you for being our refuge and fortress. Teach us to dwell in your presence and to trust in your protection. Help us to abide in you daily, declaring your promises over our lives. And resting in your peace. Cover us with your shadow and guide us with your wisdom. In Jesus' name, amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Lord. Thank you for tuning in to Shelter by Faith on the Diary of Black Women podcast. If this episode blessed you, share it with someone who needs encouragement. And don't forget to subscribe for more episodes and to stay connected with us.

9:45 Until next time, remember, God is your shelter, he's your refuge, and your fortress. Be blessed.