Reading: Psalms 88-91
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust (Ps. 91:1-2).
Absolute security. Unwavering trust. Complete and total lack of fear. How amazing would it be to live our lives cocooned in these emotions and utterly supported by the hand of God? As we contemplate the psalmist's words in the 91st Psalm, we can take comfort from the realization that such a life is open to us, right here and right now, if we fully surrender ourselves to God and willingly place ourselves in His shadow.
In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes (Judg. 17:6). We live in a fallen world. Ambition, greed, self-pride, contempt, anger, and hate are often the emotions that hold the most sig- nificant sway in today’s society. Biblically defined concepts of absolute right and wrong have been obliterated and replaced with expectations for us to accept the current nebulous and ever-changing societal norms. As the climate of popular morality slides further and further from the will of God, confusion and chaos reigns. It is easy for those of us who still cling to His Word and His promises to feel alone and vulnerable as we are simultaneously attacked from all sides. Yet we are not alone, and if we are truly standing in the shadow of God, we will never be vulnerable. His protection is complete and unwavering; if we make our home with Him, we have nothing to fear. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling (Ps. 91:9-10).
The promises laid out here in the 91st Psalm are both wonderous and comforting, but in order to fully benefit from them, we must first understand what is being promised. As much as we might wish it to be so, God’s promise is not for an earthly life free of all trouble, conflict, or sorrow. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (II Tim. 3:12). What He is promising is that with Him, we are stronger than any trouble we will face. We have nothing to fear as long as we follow in His footsteps and remain in His shadow. Any pain and suffering we encounter are temporary and will pass away. Those who hate us and work against the will of God will be gone in the end as surely and completely as our pain and suffering, but even as they fall, we will stand. God promises He will bring us through to stand with Him on the other side – triumphant, whole, and at peace.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls (I Pet. 1:6-9).
Thought for Today: Suffering for God is temporary, but damnation without Him is eternal.
Christ Revealed: By the seed (descendants) of David (Ps. 89:3-4). Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed (descendants) of David according to the flesh (Rom. 1:3; also Matt. 1:1; Luke 3:31-32).
Word Studies: 88:13 prevent = come before; 89:10 Rahab, in this context;is a poetic name for Egypt (see 87:4; Is. 51:9); 89:24 horn be exalted = authority shall increase; 89:41 spoil = plunder; 90:13 let it repent thee concerning = change your judgment to compassion on; 91:13 dragon = serpent, a reference to Satan.
Pray for StaffJennifer Palafox • Government Officials: Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI), Rep. Tom McClintock (CA), Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA), Rep. Brian Mast (FL) • Country: Sudan (35,482,233) North Eastern Africa • Major Languages: Arabic, English • Restrict Religious Freedom • Sunni Muslim; Small Christian Minority • Prayer Suggestion: Pray that your words and thoughts will be pleasing to the Lord (Ps. 19:14).
Optional Reading: I Timothy 1