Weekly Devotional 5th of April, 2024
by Bruce Billington
Weekly Devotional 5th of April, 2024
We are continuing to explore the knowledge of God as expressed in the Psalms. This week we look at a beautiful Psalm, Psalm 91. This Psalm is written by an unknown author and does not have a title.
A German physician described it as “the best preservative in times of cholera, and in truth, it is a heavenly medicine against plague and pests. He who can live in its spirit will be fearless, even if once again London should become a lazar-house, and the grave be gorged with carcases.”
Psalm 91:1-4 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper And from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.”
It should be noted that the wonderful blessings promised here are not for all believers, but for those who live in close fellowship with God. Not every believer dwells in the most Holy place – they may run to it when in need or under stress, but they do not focus on constantly remaining in the place or ensuring they are in continuous communion with God.
Those who do, become possessors of rare and special benefits, which are missed by those who follow afar off, and grieve the Holy Spirit of God. We should be so careful to remain in a constant awareness that we need to be always sensitive to the Holy Spirit. To be in this place offers (V3-4) a wonderful covering and protection of a faithful Father looking after His children.
Of course, this does not mean we won’t face difficult times and situations. The world we live in is full of danger, diseases, injuries, and other such things which occur in everyday life. But we should not let this leave us feeling insecure.
Even when we are facing challenges and difficult times, we are assured that God is watching over us, never allowing us to be tempted beyond more than we are able (1 Corinthians 10:13).
All those who have seen a mother hen sheltering her little ones under her wings will understand the beauty, care and protection God offers here. Of course, no shelter can be comparable to the protection God offers those who abide in His shadow. The more closely we cling to our Almighty Father the more confident may we be.
In the New Covenant, God has not promised us total protection from peril, but He has promised His presence in and through all things. He will be with us, and He will help us. Hebrews 13:5-6illustrates this well by saying.
Hebrews 13:5-6 – “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?”
To obtain these benefits we must connect with God daily, seek Him in all things and take care to ensure that we do not grieve the Holy Spirit in any of our actions and behaviour. Providing we do that the POSB sums this passage up well under the New Covenant. It says,
God is to us today everything He has always been to His people.
God is our refuge.
We need not live in fear of danger or threats, for God is always with us.
If we faithfully abide in Christ, we need not fear God’s discipline or judgment.
God’s angels continue to guard His children.
God is our security in these perilous times of the last days (2 Timothy 3:1).
God bless you.
Bruce Billington.