“LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of (thinks about) him! or the son of man, that thou makest an account of him! Man is like vanity: his days are as a shadow that passesth away.” Psalms 144:3,4

Today for us in America is Groundhog Day.

A day quite peculiar to our international friends but all done in good humor as we all look forward to winters eventual end.

I do feel quite sorry for the little guy being awakened and held high to greet his screaming fans as they wonder if there will be a shadow to see or will Spring arrive early with an anticipated glee.

But you know shadows aren’t always a bad thing.

Shadows have been given a really bad rap, think of phrases such as “Scared of their own shadow”, “Lurking in the shadows”, “Coming out of the shadows”.

None of those bring about happy thoughts or peaceful feelings and honestly there are many Biblical references to shadows that are not particularly pleasing, but I want to talk to you about the ones that are!

As we ended last post with the all-time classic, “He who dwells in the secret place…” and if you do not have that verse committed to memory, I strongly encourage you to do so, to be prayed over yourself and others.

As the old timers always liked to remind us that the day may come when our Bibles are taken but the word in your heart can never be taken away.

2 Corinthians 3:3: ” Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle (literary work) of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone,but in fleshy tables of the heart.”

Is that not beautiful?

When the shadows of this earth grow long, tiring, and freighting you have refuge in a shadow that does not bring fear, dread, or uncertainty.

We do live in the valley of the shadow of death, the greatest fear for most and the torment for many as loved are lost to that shadow.

That is the experience of all that live and why God has given us so much comfort in his word in reassuring us that we do not have to dwell in this land alone.

Isaiah 9:2: ” The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath a great light shined.”

Shadows of past hurts, disappoints, and failures. Shadows of present sufferings and trials looming over life, and the foreshadowing of fears of the future will all flee away when met with the power of the shadow of the most High.

His shadow only brings peace, solace, and perseverance.

And with that, let’s look at some beautiful verses that were sent to us from God, through those holy men of old and let these beautiful verses remind us that noy all shadows are bad.

Psalms 57:1: “…Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamites be overpast.”

Psalms 17: 6-8: “I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

Shew (show) thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, from the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about (surround me).”

Psalms 107:13,14: “Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.

He brought them out of darkness an the shadow of death and brake their bands asunder (freed them from spiritual shackles).”

*Psalms 34:2-4: ” My soul shall make her boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me form all my fears.”

Psalms 36:7: ” How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.”

Psalms 63:6-8:” When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.”

Those are the sleepless nights, worry, fear, whatever the case may be, when you remember in whom you trust, the long night will become much shorter.

On that note, I do hope this will be a blessing to someone tonight!

The verse with the asterisk contains no mention of a shadow but was on my heart to be in this post.

Love & Peace to you and yours, put trust in him and rest in His shadow.

Φλογιζω NBJ 2026/ Rev N. Brown Johnson