31 Thoughts from Psalm 91 – Part 8 This is part 8 of a series of thoughts based on Psalm 91. If you have not yet read Part 1, then please click here. Thought 22 Psalm 91:12 They will carry you in their hands They will carry you in their […]
No sickness will come near your house. Not only will you be secure, but all your family too. All those who live in your house. Isn't that good to know? As we make the Lord our personal refuge, our families are supernaturally protected from disaster.
If you make the Most High your dwelling... A reference to the beginning of the psalm. Look again at the first thought. I feel as though David refers us to the beginning, because he can imagine the doubts that his listeners have felt during the intervening verses.
Can you imagine all the people in your office or neighbourhood going down with the latest flu strain? Can you imagine what a witness it will be if the Christians are the only ones still standing? I heard a story not long ago about a US army officer in the Iraq war. All the time he was serving out there, not one of his men was killed. That's the power of faith in the Lord's protection.
You do not need to fear arrows that fly during the day. Our fears which terrorize us during the night can just seem to be worrying thoughts in the daytime. But again the Lord says we have no reason to fear. They cannot even find you!
He will cover you with his feathers. Does the picture of God as a mother hen disturb you or encourage you? When a hen takes her chicks under her wings, they are completely hidden from sight. Can you imagine yourself hidden in that safe, comfortable, warm place?
A refuge is what we need in the middle of a storm or in the middle of a battle. A fortress is the place where we seek protection, and from which we fight the enemy. Whatever our needs in life, whatever we are running from, or fighting against, the Lord's shelter is the place to run to or to fight from. For He is the security we need in every circumstance.
I have often found myself being disappointed by the number of Christians I know who are ill! Not seriously ill, (although there are many who are), but who suffer from colds and flu, and the sort of wintery sicknesses that most people have come to expect.
Just in case we felt that the word in the previous thought was a bit extreme, we have confirmation here. The chapter begins with a sad report of what the shepherd's of Israel are not doing, and continues with a promise that the Lord Himself will shepherd His flock.
In the Psalms we often see David, the individual feeling hopeless. Here it is a whole nation. But it was not God's intention to leave them in their hopelessness. He saw their misery, and wanted to revitalise the sad discouraged community of Israel. There are many groups, churches, communities and nations today who need to know that the Lord can make dead bones live.
EN 
FR