IN HIS SHADOW
Opening Prayer
As I read Scripture, Father, plant deep within me the reality of your love and faithfulness.
Read PSALM 91
Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Footnotes
- Psalm 91:1 Hebrew Shaddai
- Psalm 91:14 That is, probably the king
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Read today’s psalm two or three times, if possible, using different translations.When everything around seems uncertain and unpredictable, it is only natural to search for something that will give certainty and security. That is what a good friend of mine decided to do. His search for a rock-solid guarantee of something or someone to take care of him as he faced many challenges came after a long period of ignoring God. It was only after he had exhausted all other possible avenues of help and support that he ‘gave in’ to God. Self-assurance, pride, stubbornness, and a genuine belief that asking God for help really was off the beaten track, had kept him from finding refuge in the Almighty.
This psalm reminds the believer that the Most High is the source of refuge in the midst of trouble (v. 2). It also asks readers to nurture trust in God, entrusting one’s whole life to him. Let’s not overlook the profound truth that this transcendent God, the Most High, seeks to enter into relationship with those who engage with him (verse 9: ‘If you say…’). The psalmist invites us to try out this ‘dwelling place’ because it offers protection from everything that may threaten you—all you have to do is take a chance on God’s care and love for you, which does not have a ‘use by’ expiration date (vv. 14–16).
Apply
Here are two distinct images of God’s protection: a fortress and the wings of a bird. Given the challenges of life for you at this moment, which one would you prefer? Rest in his care now.
Closing prayer
Father, thank you for your loving protection. I confess there are times when I forget to trust in your loving care and your commitment to my good; forgive me.
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