Psalm
91 reminds me of how we often confuse human affection with God’s
unconditional love. We think of romance in terms someone of doing
something bold to prove their undying love. We do not have to prove
our love to God! Mutual expressions of caring are beautiful, but
one-sided manipulation, used to get what we
want,
will always lead to distance and disrespect. Conditional love adds
“ifs” rather than just asking. This psalm sings of certain and
unchanging love. “He
who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of
the Almighty“.
This is a permanent dwelling not a temporary shelter. And the
writer adds, “I
will say of the Lord”
and I am reminded that it is important to speak to God, not just
complain. “He
is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust“.
Trust and faithfulness are linked; the more we trust God, the more
we experience His faithfulness. Next the writer describes a
beautiful picture of protection during times of vulnerability. “He
will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find
refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield“.
This cute image is deadly serious. Birds cover their young to
protect them from predators because they are not yet camouflaged.
They stand out as easy targets. The young and spiritually immature
don’t always realize that they are unsafe. This place of
protection comes with a promise, “You
will not fear
the
terror
of
night, nor…
day“.
I believe God protects us physically, mentally and spiritually. Are
you settling for a rickety tent rather than God’s fortress?
Next
he describes peeking out between our fingers to observe the battle
taking place around us. I believe we are in the midst of spiritual
warfare. He writes, “A
thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but
it will not come near you… You will only observe with your eyes…
If you
make
the Most High your dwelling… no disaster will come near… For He
will command His angels“.
Periodically through the Bible, God allows a few people to see into
the spiritual realm. 2 Kings 6:17 describes one situation in which
the prophet Elisha prayed for his servant to see God’s mighty hand.
“O
Lord, open his eyes so he may see“.
Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, “and
he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all
around Elisha“.
These heavenly warriors stood between Elisha and the enemy that came
to capture the prophet. This VIP treatment is for all who accept
God’s permanence.
Finally
the psalmist writes of the many ways God protects His own. He writes
of these angels, “they
will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your
foot against a stone… You will
tread
upon the lion and the cobra“.
He adds, “Because
he loves Me… I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he
acknowledges My name“,
says the Lord. Isn’t it interesting that this is the very verse
Satan used to temp Jesus (Luke chapter 4). Jesus answered from
scripture also, “Do
not put the Lord your God to the test“.
Tests of man’s faith are man-made. God knows our faith is weak.
He only desires that we believe He is all-sufficient. God makes a
promise to us weaklings, “He
will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in
trouble, I will deliver him and honor him“.
I believe God will rescue us from things, but He will not prevent us
from returning. All we need is enough faith to remain close and
acknowledges the sacrificial love of Christ. The psalm concludes, “I
will satisfy him and
show
him My salvation“.
God’s unconditional love brings us rest. Will you call on Him?