To read: Psalm 91:1-2; 9-16
New Revised Standard Version Bible,You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust."
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence;
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, or the arrow that flies by day,
or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
You will only look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place,
no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.
Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.
When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them.
With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.
copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
To think about:
In verses 2 and 9 of this psalm, the writer refers to the Lord as his refuge. In today's world the word refuge is seldom heard in conversations and dialogues. However, the meaning of this word is used quite frequently.
How many times have you and I asked for God's help or comfort? As a child, we probably asked more than once for God's protection from the danger of darkness when lightning from a thunderstorm caused the house to go dark. What about the time when someone wasn't paying attention while driving a car and you had to swerve your car to avoid a collision? Surely, you said, "Thank you, God, for keeping me safe."
These are ways in which we know we can trust God to be our refuge. He takes care of us and keeps us safe. Certainly, as parents we are constantly asking God to protect our children from harm as they travel to school or to the movies with their friends. Even when they become adults and are no longer living with us, we ask God to protect them and provide them a safe place to live as they begin a new life. Finally, as we grow old and realize our days on this earth are numbered, we pray for God's refuge and strength so that he will provide us a place to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
To pray:
We thank you, God, for your refuge. Amen.
Evangelical Lutheran Church, Urbana, Md.