Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God (Psalm 91)

During the past few months I have been corresponding with many friends and family who are struggling in their daily walk of life. Some are battling health issues, others are trying to make their next mortgage payment and some feel an overall sense of disillusionment toward the government. My first thought whenever I speak to someone who is discouraged is to direct them to Psalm 91, which contains some of the most beautiful words in the Bible. Let’s look at them for just a moment:

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling, For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”

At first glance you will notice that this Psalm is filled with wonderful words of comfort. They speak of God as the Protector of those who trust in Him. When we are in closest intimacy and communion with God we may be said to dwell in the secret place of the most High. Those who commune with God are safe with Him. No evil can reach them, for the outstretched wings of His power and love cover them from all harm.

The Psalm goes on to imply that whatever happens in this life, nothing of eternal consequence shall hurt the believer because he is safe in Christ. When trouble or affliction surface, it does not come to hurt the believer but is there for his good, even though it may be grievous to bear in the present moment. Those who rightly know God, will set their love upon Him and the Lord Himself promises to manage all the believer's worldly concerns, and preserve his life on earth until it is time for him to leave and be with Jesus.

What a wonderful thought to know the Lord is in control of our lives at all times and that at the moment of our death we are safe and secure in Him who died for us and purchased for us a place in heaven. (John 14:2-3)

If you feel sad or depressed or have lost all hope, come to Psalm 91 and rest in the Prince of Peace.