Scripture Reading(s)
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
91:1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
91:2 will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”
91:9 Because you have made the LORD your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place,
91:10 no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.
91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
91:12 On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
91:13 You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.
91:14 Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.
91:15 When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them.
91:16 With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.
Reflections
Fear and anxiety often strike us when we least expect it. It can come from a variety of different places. Change to our normal life style such as our health, financial, and relationships among many others can alter our view of life and shake our faith in God.
Here this Psalm reminds us that with God in our lives we have no reason to fear. Because we live in a fallen world, there will be moments when we face hardships that will cause us to experience uncertainty and doubt. However, God promises to meet us at the point of our need when we do. With God being our refuge and protector there is nothing in this world that can bring us harm. God does not intend for us to live in doubt in fear.
When tragedy or chaos strikes, His ever loving presence and firm hand are not swayed by what we face. God has the antidote for fear: eliminating our fear and giving us victory over what is causing us fear. Verses 13-14 describe God doing exactly that. Even when faced with the threat of a “lion” hunting us, God gives us the strength to defeat it. He promises that when we call upon Him, He answers. Let us make this our prayer just as the Psalmist did “I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”
How great it is to dwell in the shelter of the Most High! Like many Christians, I was not born a Christian nor was I raised in a Christian family. Because of this, I have a very distinct transition point in my life dividing my pre-Christian life from my Christian life. I can attest, as David wrote in Psalm 91, that nothing is better than walking with the Lord.
Naturally, life as a Christian is not all roses and cupcakes either. Life is hard and God doesn’t promise us an easy one. But He does ensure us that He will see us through the storms. He will hold us up when we cannot hold ourselves up. He will be our strength when we are weak and He will make our lives abundant until He calls us home….. and that’s not even the best part.
Once we go home to be with the Lord we will be welcomed with open arms as heirs to the kingdom and as sons and daughters of the king. Whether or not you enjoy this short time on the earth you WILL enjoy the next one when we are in the glory of the God who spoke the universe into existence.
But until that day comes, let us dwell on the earth in the shadow of the Almighty!
[Featured image from uniteny.org]