My dad was my great protector and defender.  Even when I was in the wrong; dad stood by me and helped me to recover from my mistakes while teaching me to trust in God at all times through every storm in life.  He quoted this first verse of psalm 91 often so my memory of him is prevalent this morning. I’m sure many of you readers have heard or quoted this verse yourselves as we seek God first each morning—the One who loves us beyond all loves and holds us close to His heart. 

Psalm 91, NIV

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.”

I am repeating this wonderful passage, using The Message version of Psalm 91, paraphrased in our language, by Eugene Peterson.  If you read prayerfully with focus on who God is to us, we can begin to creatively form an image of God who is Love. If we linger long enough, His Holy Spirit helps us to feel God’s loving arms wrapped around us in ways that protect us from the outside world. Will troubles cease in our world, not but God never ceases to amaze us with His protection through it all! God’s created animals demonstrate this simple but profound kind of protection for their offspring as they are raise their babies to be just like them.

^1-13 You who sit down in the High God’s presence,
    spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,
Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.
    I trust in you and I’m safe!”
That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
    shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
    under them you’re perfectly safe;
    his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
    not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
    not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
    drop like flies right and left,
    no harm will even graze you.
You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
    watch the wicked turn into corpses.

Yes, because God’s your refuge,
    the High God your very own home,
Evil can’t get close to you,
    harm can’t get through the door.
He ordered his angels
    to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
    their job is to keep you from falling.
You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
    and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

^14-16 “If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
    “I’ll get you out of any trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care
    if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
    I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
    give you a long drink of salvation!”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Never fear for God is with us always to protect and provide for us BECAUSE of His great love for us.  We respond with trust, faith, and obedience that restores our peace and joy in all circumstances. 

My “pre-devotion” from Jesus Calling fits perfectly with this psalm concerning the judgement of others and ourselves when the devil tries to stop us from “seeing” God for who He really is.  Sarah Young writes as if Jesus were talking with us;

“My children make a pastime of judging one another—and themselves.  But I am the only capable Judge, and I have acquitted you through My Own blood.  Your acquittal came at the price of My unparalleled sacrifice.  That is why I am highly offended when I hear My children judge one another or indulge in self-hatred.  If you live close to Me and absorb My Word, the Holy Spirit will guide and correct you as needed.  There is NO CONDEMNATION for those who belong to Me.” –Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

(See also Luke 6:37; 2 Timothy 4:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:1)

Believe, repent, accept the cleansing, correction and guidance from God’s Spirit who now lives in us, and with no fear of rejection—live a freely redeemed life! As we give all to Him who so loved and loves us—all fear is gone! No condemnation, just salvation—so rich and free!  (Yes, this is a youth chorus mashup but it is the truth!)

Lord,

Thank you for these thoughts of love and protection with conviction and correction that strengthen us for the day ahead.  Lead me, Lord. Transform me to be all you created me to be “in your image”, for my good, and Your Glory.  May others come to know you because I know you and am learning from you. Thank you for the joy and peace that cannot be shaken—all because you loved us, saved us, and love us still as walk with you. Thank you for your arms of love.

In Jesus Name, Amen