I love Psalm 91. Like all of Scripture it’s simple in message and context but can become more complex in life application. Psalm 91, is a declaration, a promise and a command wrapped up all together. Psalm 91 is a constant reminder that we are not called to fight for ourselves. Rather, we are called to be faithfully obedient to the Father, as He faithfully fights on our behalf. Psalm 91 is no doubt war time Scripture that is applicable in midst of the most intense spiritual warfare, but it’s also great reassurance that the war is already won, if we will yield ourselves and rest within “Shadow of the Almighty”.
If you’ll notice this Psalm does not make any claim or promise to keep us from hardship, trial, or attack. Unfortunately, those are a given if we are to walk with Jesus in a fallen world. Rather, Psalm 91 promises that we will be protected, rescued, honored and rewarded from the traps of the enemy and the pain of this fallen world, if we choose to submit and anchor our hearts in God’s loving care.
This means that when we experience hardships, trials and attacks from the enemy we have to learn not to act or react based on how we feel, or what we see. This is how we negate the promises of God for our lives, and cause ourselves to settle for what we can provide or do.
We have to choose to actively settle or rest our souls into the reality that we are covered and protected by a loving Father who has great plans for us if we continue to trust Him. This protects us from the afflictions of any unpleasant circumstances we are walking through.
Of course, this is easier said than done, and requires repetition and discipline that teaches us to yield to Holy Spirit rather than our flesh. We have to choose to stop ourselves from being dominated by what we see and are feeling, and choose to saturate ourselves with the promises of God. Like I said, this is much easier to say than to do at first. But as we put this into practice in our lives, Holy Spirit enables us to overcome despite our fleshly desire to rebel from Father God’s care, and the Son Jesus’s leadership in our lives.
What’s the most dominating and uncomfortable situation you are going through right now? You know, that thing that makes your mind race and your stomach knot up when you think about it for too long. God wants you to be free and overcome that situation with His power. But even more so, God wants to use that situation to draw you back to His covering and His care for your life.
So again, think about that situation, instead of becoming emotionally distraught over it, recite Psalm 91 directly into it. Allow yourself to rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Allow God to use whatever distressing situation you are walking through, to guide you back to His loving care.
Love,
Pastor John
Psalm 91
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.””
