14 Those who love me, I will deliver;
I will protect those who know my name.
15 When they call to me, I will answer them;
I will be with them in trouble,
I will rescue them and honor them.
16 With long life I will satisfy them,
and show them my salvation. – Psalm 91:14-16
I know a saint of God, who told me she prayed psalm 91 any time her children would leave the house when they were younger. For her, the psalm as the best assurance she could offer that her children would be safe and protected when not with her. Both of her children and now grown and have their own families, but she continues to pray this prayer over them and many others whom she loves.
God is the great deliver, and while we know there are dangers we face in this world, the words of this psalm do remind us for God’s assurance, his angels that watch over, his hands that bear us up. In fact, it is a portion of this psalm that the devil uses to tempt Jesus telling him to cast himself off the highest mountain “for as it is written …. you will not dash your foot against a stone” (Matt 4:1-10). Jesus response, however is a greater command from God, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.
While we may believe in the goodness of God to protect us and assure us of help in time of trouble; I also agree with Jesus, we should not test the Lord our God. I think sometimes, we need to be reminded that God watches over us, when we don’t know any better, but we also need to use our own common sense so that we don’t test the Lord.
God knows that we have seen a lot of death in this world over the last 6 months or so, it’s a struggle to try to get back to life as we once knew it. I believe in God’s protection, but I also choose to wear a mask, keep distance, and pray that others would do the best they can to keep themselves and others safe. May we strive for the long life that is promised by doing what we can to protect ourselves and others, for the glory of God.
Grace & Peace,
Sam