Living in Almighty’s Shadow

“But when it happens, I’ll set Goshen where my people live aside as a sanctuary — no flies in Goshen. That will show you that I am God in this land. I’ll make a sharp distinction between your people and mine” (Ex. 8:22-23, MSG).

When God was about to liberate the children of Israel from slavery, plagues hit the land they lived in. Devastating plagues. Plagues that turned the world as they knew it upside down.

And yet, the place where they lived in the midst of it all was untouched: Goshen. All around, on every side, the known world was crumbling. But in Goshen, there was no plague. Their crops and animals were safe. No one was sick.

Dear one, I believe that Goshen is a spiritual picture of where you and I can live right now too. Do you belong to God? Then He has made it His personal responsibility to take care of you. You are entirely safe.

Here is how Psalm 91 expresses it:

“You shall not be afraid of… the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand…

But it shall not come near you” (vv. 5-7, NKJV).

Do you believe that? It shall not come near you. Look at the wording in today’s verse. There will be a “sharp distinction” between those who walk in God’s protection, and those who do not.

Keep in mind, His protection is available to everyone. His invitation, His open arms, His longing, His calling out to humanity… it’s for every single soul alive. For “whomsoever will.” But we have to respond to His call. We have to open the door when He knocks, and allow Him into our heart of hearts.

When we do, the moment we surrender to His yearning for us, we become His. We come into the Shelter of the Most High. The Shadow of the Almighty becomes our home. We move into Goshen.

Now, I am not by any means claiming that this means we will live our lives trouble-free. I’d have to ignore huge chunks of Scripture to make such a false claim. Seasons of suffering are pretty much a given here on Planet Earth. How, then, does this match with our verses about Goshen and the Shadow of the Almighty? The following Scripture, I believe, sums up the juxtaposition of these two principles beautifully:

“The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!” (Ps. 34:19-20, NLT).

Last year, my sweet baby Lily was in a coma for seventeen days. She came very close to leaving us for heaven. Yet, today, she is alive, well, and lighting up our home with so much cheer. Daddy God came to our rescue. He delivered us from our affliction. He will, for you, too. Every single time. “Not one bone broken” is a symbolic picture of wellbeing. His deep longing is for His precious children to walk in wholeness. The Father is for you, dearly loved child, not against you!

No matter what comes against you, in the strength of God, you will defeat it. You will always be victorious. He will meet every one of your needs.

When we live in Goshen, He surrounds us with favor as a shield. Nothing that attacks us can be successful. God Himself, the Ruler of the universe, fights for us. When we walk closely with Him, when we learn to dwell under His wings, a sharp distinction becomes noticeable about our lives. A stark contrast. An undeniable, brilliant shining in the darkness. One that will make others want to come running to His arms too.

Have you given yourself to Jesus? Then you can stake your life on it. You live in the spiritual land of Goshen. Declare it over your life every day! Repeating Scripture over and over to yourself is not simply a religious ritual. The Word of God changes you. It works on the inside of you. It strengthens your faith. The more you engage with it, the more it gets on the inside of you and becomes part of you. Hold onto these promises, dear one! They are life to those who find them! They are yours!

“No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling…” (Ps. 91:10, NKJV).

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How has this time of world-wide crisis presented you with new opportunities to shine with the light and love of Jesus?