This is The Way – Devo Day 44

My Refuge, My Fortress, My God

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
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 look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Psalm 91:1–16 (ESV)

In the wake of the spread of the Coronavirus fear and hopelessness have gripped many hearts and changed the landscape of our world. This is a perfect time for the people of God to proclaim the promises of God with confidence and faith. Psalm 91 was written for such a day as this. We are to be containers of hope, reflectors of light, and anchor points of peace in a world that is spinning out of control focused on hoarding food and toilet paper.

Psalm 91 doesn’t deny the threats that we face in life. Some plot against us (v3), some sneak up and ambush us (v6), they come at us day & night (v6), some are real or imaginary dreads (v5), or even the losses we experience (v7). That’s just life!

This psalm is a personal testimony, a confident hope in a faithful God, in spite of the battles that rage – WE ARE SECURE IN HIS HANDS! This is the assurance that every believer and every human needs for the day we live in. The Lord is our refuge (v9). These verses stress the dangers that we encounter out and about in life. When Satan used these verses against the Lord Jesus, the reply he received was that genuine trust does not demand that the Lord prove himself but simply rests in God’s care (Matthew 4:5–7).

The psalmist recounts the Lord promises (v14-16): rescue (intervening action), security (protect, set out of reach of danger), answered prayer, companionship, deliverance (from threat), vindication (honor), personal fulfillment (satisfy) and the enjoyment of salvation. Note how these reach from initial saving action (rescue) right through to fully enjoyed salvation and cover all intervening needs. There are, however, three conditions for us to fulfill:

• Holds fast to God in love (reliance & dependence)
• Knows His name (intimately knows God and His Word)
• Calls to God (communion/prayer)

Questions to Ponder

1. What has the Coronavirus threat revealed in you and of your confidence in God?
2. What have you put your trust in (your job, your bank account, your pantry)? Where have you taken refuge?
3. How have you influenced others? Have you stoked the hysteria or have you been a voice of hope, calm, and clear thinking?
4. If this psalm was your testimony, what good could you do?

If you are just starting and want to go back and read the previous posts in this series