No Safer Place
Opening Prayer
Lord, I have fears about both present threats and future risks. Comfort me with Your nearness, I ask.
Read Psalm 91:1-16
[1] Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [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 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.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What dangers does this psalm promise protection from?Psalm 91 is a psalm of shelter, of protection, of security. Its message is one we can use whenever we need the reassurance that God is looking out for us as danger looms. The viewpoint of this psalm changes rapidly from the third person (“he,” 1), to the first person (“I,” 2), before settling on “you” (3). It begins with an objective statement (1), followed by a personal response (2). This is developed into a series of promises (3 onward) for the unnamed person the psalmist had in mind when he was writing. As readers today, we can substitute our names for the “yous.” Or, by substituting the name of a loved one, we can turn the psalm into an intercessory prayer. There is only one condition for the outpouring of the Lord’s love and protection: “‘Because he loves me,’ says the Lord…” (14). Sometimes we know that we love God; sometimes our love falters. But just a small amount of love from us could lead to this wonderful, generous response from the Lord. And his generosity doesn’t stop at protection. What other benefits does he promise in verses 14-16?
Apply
What problems and worries in your life make Psalm 91 relevant to you right now?
Closing prayer
Bring before God any situation in which you need–or a loved one needs–his special protection.
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