Escaping Real Danger

Psalm 91 is one of the most awesome Psalms in the entire book. It's also one of the most comforting for those going through hard times.

I'd strongly encourage you to just read the whole thing; its only 16 verses. But what power, what promise, what protection God promises to us.

I wanted to make an observation about it, though. Read this part:

Psalms 91:7-8
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked. ESV

Let me ask you something. Does this mean that nothing bad will ever happen to you? In verse two it says that "you shall not fear ... the pestilence that stalks in darkness." Does that mean you will never get sick? Obviously not. We do get sick, we do suffer harm, the enemy seems to get away with a lot in our lives. Does that mean these promises are meaningless or not applicable to us? No.

Look at the end, verse 16: "With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."

You see, we need to take God's view of our lives. We are protected (by angels, verse 11) and no harm can come to us outside of God's will and nothing can ultimately harm us because we are saved by God. Now that might mean being taken home before we see relief, but what is a temporary suffering compared to eternal bliss?

Paul was a really beat up Apostle. Do you think he read this Psalm and was discouraged? I don't think so. He knew God had him in His hand. He knew he would be delivered. So will you. Take heart.

Pastor Tom