Psalm of Protection

September 1

Our world is fraught with danger. There are wars and rumors of wars. There are terrorist hordes whose intent is to brutally annihilate everyone who does not subscribe to their concept of god and his purposes. Plagues are devastating whole populations. There are natural disasters on an intensified level.

The suffering of mankind is unabated in spite of great medical strides and technological advancements. According to the Biblical prophecy, “They shall cry, ‘Peace! Peace!’ but there is no peace,” Jeremiah 6:14, Jeremiah 8:11.

It seems the dire prophetic word, “When they are crying, ‘Peace and safety,’ then shall sudden destruction come upon them,” I Thessalonians 5:3, is even at the threshold of life as we know it. According to Luke 21:26, “Men's hearts are failing them for fear, because they are looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”

Yet, we who believe in the power and salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ stand on His assurance that, “When these things come to pass, look up and lift up your head, for your redemption draws near,” Luke 21:28. We believe in the God who promises to hide His own people who love Him “under the shadow of His wing,” Psalm 17:8; that we shall be “kept as the apple of His eye.”

Psalm 91 delineates His assurances that His people shall be safe in Him but even if overtaken by the devastation wreaked by the forces of the evil one, still there is a promise that the life of His people transcends time and embraces eternity.

Psalm 91:

He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings shall you trust: His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

5 You shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand shall fall at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.

8 Only with your eyes shall you behold the reward of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, your habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. 12 They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

13 You shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shall you trample under your feet. 14 Because you have set your love upon Me, therefore will I deliver you: I will set you on high, because you have known My name.

15 You shall call upon Me, and I will answer you; I will be with you in trouble; I will deliver you, and honor you.

16 With long life will I satisfy you, and shew you My salvation.