In times of trouble, distress and darkness, Psalm 91 is perfect to meditate and study on as it helps us to turn our minds on him. I’m going to unpack this psalm, in order to demonstrate how God can help us.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Verses 1-4.

We can trust Him, not just when things are going right or according to our plan but also when we are in the middle of a storm. Because in these times when we are in trouble or distress we might not believe its part of the plan, but it is, no matter what we say or think, it actually is part of the plan. God uses our situations, whether we feel its right or not, for His plan and His glory and it’s just up to us to trust this. I say “Just”, and know what you might say, “Its not that easy” and I’ve been there myself, but if we keep our focus on Him and read his word, we can learn to understand that that is what we need to be doing and it is in that place we can find refuge.

“You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.”  Verses 5-7.

In this time and the pandemic going on at the moment, its so easy to see these terrors. This plague, this corona virus, is making people fall all around us, and it is scary and worrying and we do need to follow the rules set out for us; the two meter distancing, staying home, wearing masks and gloves, as this is for our protection. But God can protect us too. When we abide by Him He will be in us and protect us, whatever He has planned for each and every one of us.

“You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling– even the LORD, who is my refuge– then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.” Verses 8- 10.

That’s certainly not to say we won’t go through trials; loss, illness, anxiety and troubles. But what it does mean is that if it’s His plan and we are focused on Him then whatever does happen isn’t the end result. As Elizabeth Elliott says, “God knows the way through the wilderness.” We will go in and out of these things but if we remain in control of our emotions and feelings and turn them over to the Lord, we can experience His love, joy and peace throughout it and in addition to this we have the glory of heaven to look forward to. 

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Verses 11- 16.

Did you hear that?? We will experience trials, but He will rescue us, He will protect us, He does acknowledge us (even if we feel like he doesn’t or we’re talking to a brick wall!) He will answer us, though it might not be when we want Him to, He will answer us, but in His time. He will deliver us and He will satisfy us. If we go to Him, He will deliver all of these promises.

You know why? 

Because He said so.

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References:

By Moahim – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79221932

https://www.imb.org/2019/04/01/missionary-legacy-jim-elisabeth-elliot/