SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1204
“Shadows”
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. – James 1:17
Shadows are something we are all familiar with and God’s Word uses this concept to convey several Truths.
Protection: Shadows are used to signify God’s protection. When we are in His shadow, we are very close to Him. We are shaded and shielded by Him from the heat of the sun and all that can harm us.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty; Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings – Psalm 91:1; Psalm 17:8
How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. – Psalm 63:7; Psalm 36:7
Deception: As it is with all things of this fallen world, shadows can be deceptive, having the appearance of something that is false. Take for example shadow puppets, whereby careful arrangement of hands and fingers cast a shadow having the appearance of a bunny or another animal.
We have done the same as a shadow puppet by twisting God’s Word and enacting laws and traditions of men that dilute the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
…this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men – Isaiah 29:13
For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near; Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. – Hebrews 10:1; Colossians 2:16-17
Even the death we will experience in this life is but a deceiving shadow since eternal life through Jesus is ours who confess that Jesus is Lord and believe in His resurrection.
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. – Romans 10:9
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me; “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” – Psalm 23:4; 1 Corinthians 15:55
Temporary: Shadows are temporary and our life here in the body is likened to a shadow. We do well to maintain an eternal perspective and not try to hang on to the empty shadow of the things of this world.
For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. – 1 Chronicles 29:15
For we are but of yesterday and know nothing, for our days on earth are a shadow. – Job 8:9
Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow. – Psalm 144:4
Temporal: Shadows may represent what is casting them, but they have no substance. God’s Word cautions us not to rely on and seek the things of this world instead of seeking Him first.
“Ah, stubborn children,” declares the Lord, “who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for my direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore, shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame, and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation – Isaiah 30:1-3
May you be encouraged by the fact that our God and the Truth of His Word are not fleeting and changeable like a shadow. He is the Rock of our Salvation. He is our protector and provider and through Jesus we have forgiveness of sin and eternal life.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. – Hebrews 13:8
Sword of the Spirit 