Protection (Psalm 91:1-8)

¹ Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty
² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

³ Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

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What struck me in this these verses is the word “rest” in verse 1.  As I re-read this comforting depiction of the Lord’s protection, this word stood out because it depicts the safety that the psalmist feels in the presence of God.  He can rest. He can be at ease despite the snares, pestilence, and terrors around him.  The psalmist lists these and other dangers, but confidently asserts that none of those will affect the one who trusts in the Lord and rests in Him the way a small bird rests under the protection of the mother bird.

I can’t help today but to think of those out fighting the fires and seeking to keep other safe through their efforts.  My prayer is for the Lord’s protection and safety to shield them from harm so that they may experience not only the protection, but also the peace the comes with it.

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