You who sit down in the High God’s presence,
spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,
Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.
I trust in you and I’m safe!”
That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you’re perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God’s your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can’t get close to you,
harm can’t get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path.
“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
“I’ll get you out of any trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care
if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salvation!” Psalms 91 (MSG)
We all want these promises in this Psalm. And some of us think, “Well I’ve been really sick, and been betrayed, and falsely accused, and fired wrongly! Where were God’s promise’s then?!”
I see several caveats to this Psalm. The first being a purposeful act of seeking out God’s Presence and STAYING there. Then proclaiming God’s Sovereignty over your life. Then at the end of the Psalm there is an endurance and determination to be steadfast in your allegiance, faith, and trust in God, literally hanging onto Him for your life. Then the continuous conversation with Him as you call out to Him and listen to His replies to your questions as you get to KNOW Him.
We will all go through difficult times. Jesus made this pretty clear.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. John 15:20
We also must remember what is important to the Father.
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Mathew 10:28
Remembering what is really important will become essential as we face greater and greater challenges to our lives in this coming year. Those who have an understanding of the TC2 life know that we are here NOT for our lives but for His work and plan, and that once that plan is completed He will bring us ‘home’ to be with Him forever.
“Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.” Philippians 1:18-24
Look not for yourself, look to complete the plan and work God wants you to accomplish. What exactly is that? That must be worked out with Him through constant communication and relationship. Work diligently to stay ‘in His Presence’.
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
I know I so want to hear Jesus say this to me…
‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21