Friday, September 11, 2009

Psalm 91

I heard this Psalm read on the radio today in honor of September 11, 2001.

It is an assurance of God's protection. Which is kind of interesting. What about the thousands that weren't protected and died 8 years ago? I don't know how to answer that. Why them, why so many, why so much suffering in the world? I think that I'll never understand why? Also, God could look at me and ask the same of me, "Why do you allow humans around you to suffer...from hunger, illness, sadness?" But what I do know is that it wasn't God who caused those horrific events 8 years ago. It was man. It was man's free will and choice. So, why didn't God just stop it? Why, if He is omniscient and omnipotent, did He let it happen? It's just not that easy. The world would be totally different if it were that simple. It would be something like the Garden of Eden, I suppose. I don't think it's possible to understand God. He is too colossal for our mere human understanding.

If it's proof you're after...sorry don't have that. I can only tell you that I just know for myself that I wouldn't have what I have, be who I am, be where I am and go where I'm going if it wasn't for Him. I've don't deserve His love and salvation. It's just there for me to accept.


Psalm 91:1-16 (NLT)

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 This I declare about the LORD;
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are you armor and
protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
thought ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
8 Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.
9 If you make the LORD your refuge,
if you make the Most High you shelter,
10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near you home.
11 For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will hold you up with their hands
so you won't even hurt your foot on
a stone.
13 You will trample upon lions and cobras
you will crush fierce lions and serpents
under you feet.
14 The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
16 I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation."


What a wonderful Psalm to use as a prayer of protection. God doesn't promise that we will not have any troubles; He promises to "answer" and "be with [us]" (v. 15). There is a light in this sometimes seemingly dark world.


One more verse I wanted to include:

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Continuing to grow in Him,




1 comment:

Angie said...

I had a friend who, as he was leaving to go into the military, his dad ripped Psalm 91 out of his own Bible and put it in his son's hands. The man went on to fight in World War II, was shot down over Germany and taken captive. He was there a couple of months until the Allies defeated the Germans, and he was starving. He said even the German soldiers were starving; there was no food. He even ate a cat! Anyways, he still had Psalm 91 tucked in his pocket and he said that it was what got him through that time.

Isn't God's Word amazing? While we can't expect God to do what He does not promise (such as long life, no pain, no suffering), we know He WILL do what He has promised, such as be with us in the trials and save us from judgment!!