Psalm 91:4-6 - He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
In this psalm there is no wielding the sword of the Spirit, no taking the fight to the foe. These psalm verses direct us to a "duck and cover" kind of strategy. It is time to seek shelter! We have sad experiences with such circumstances. We cannot fight tornadoes or floods, hurricanes or earthquakes. Even with medical help, our defenses are limited in cases of severe illness. In the face of death—our own or that of a loved one—there is nothing we can do. The shelter suggested in this psalm, with its comparison to feathered wings or shield of wood or metal, does not seem to be very substantial.
Yet the promised shelter in the psalm is stronger than any earthly refuge. It is a shelter that provides more protection than sandbags in a flood or plywood covering windows. This shelter offers greater safety than a secure basement in a storm or strong medication. Our refuge is the faithfulness of God. As He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5b). We certainly believe His promise, but we may find ourselves asking, "Where were You, Lord, when this happened? Where was Your shelter?" The storm or flood sweeps a home away. Illness ruins health or takes the life of a loved one. Where is the faithfulness of God when those things happen?
Why does God allow such things to happen in the lives of His people? The answer to that question lies hidden within God's will and wisdom. It is an answer beyond our earthly understanding and not for us to know. But where is His faithfulness and steadfast love? During Lent the answer to that question is clearly seen. Our faithful God is right where He promises to be, covering us with His love and sheltering us with His peace. How can we be sure of that? We only need to look to the cross of Jesus. In faithful, steadfast love, God sent His Son to be our Savior, to suffer and die for our sins. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we know that "neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38b-39). God's faithful, sheltering love for you will always be firmly in place, anchored by the cross of His Son. Whatever happens, God has you covered.
WE PRAY: Lord, when I experience days of trouble and fear, shelter me with Your faithfulness and steadfast love. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. Who in your life has given you the sense of their complete protection over you?
2. If you were summarizing Romans 8:38-39 for someone, what would you say?
3. Even in difficult times, how has God already shown us that He loves us and cares for us always?
Today's Bible Readings: Leviticus 15-16 Mark 8:22-38
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