My Place of Safety – Ps 91 Part 1

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: Psalm 91 (Click Link)

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. 3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. 4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. (Psalm 91:1-4 NLT)

This morning I read an article in one of my news feeds titled “The Safest Places To Be In An Earthquake.” Normally, I wouldn’t have taken the time to read it, but there was recently an earthquake (unusually) in the Northeastern US and even though the area I live in isn’t particularly earthquake-prone, we do have a few old volcanoes called the Cascade Mountains a few miles to our west. So I read it.

Here’s the takeaway: An earthquake won’t give much advance notice, so you pretty much have to make the best of wherever you are when it hits. The catch-phrase is “Stop, Drop, and Cover!” And at home in bed is actually one of the safest places of all. Just lie there, put your pillow over your head, and ride it out!

The danger from hurricanes and tornadoes and tsunamis tends to be more region-specific. Plagues, like the recent COVID pandemic, can arise from unexpected sources and, as we discovered, play out globally. A disease diagnosis can catch us completely by surprise and bring us face-to-face with our mortality. Some mortal dangers we can distance ourselves from if there’s time. Some dangers we can hide and shelter from. But some of the fearful things we all will face will find us wherever we are.

So here’s my thoughts from the first verses of  Psalm 91, friends:

  • Our refuge from the storm/pitfall/natural disaster/plague/threat of evil is not a cabin in the mountains or a bunker in the backyard or a walled and gated community.
  • Our truest shelter, safety, and refuge now and always is our relationship with our God, our loving Father, our caring Shepherd. God’s Faithful Promises are our armor and protection.
  • Our security is in the character and nature and the unfailing love and mercy of our Good God. Let’s put our full trust in God who will never forsake us!

Prayer:

Father, I will live in the shelter of the Most High and find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. You alone are my refuge, my place of safety. Your faithful promises are my armor and protection. In you alone do I put my trust! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.