I grew up afraid.
Thunder, lightning, roller coasters, car crashes, plane crashes, tornadoes—loud, violent, terrifying scenarios that kept me up at night, or in the guidance counselor’s office at school any time it stormed. I was afraid of loud things, things that threatened to crash into my life and take away someone or something I loved. I would read Bible verses that promised me safety, plucked out of the psalms and taped on my bathroom mirror in college—-verses like these from Psalm 91: “Because you have made the LORD—my refuge, the Most High—your dwelling place, no harm will come to you” (vv.9–10).
That’s a formula I tend to like, because it gives me the perception of control; I make the Lord my “refuge,” and no harm will come to me. But many years of walking quietly in sadness with people I love have taught me there is no equation to prevent suffering. Sometimes storms enter our lives quickly like thunderclouds from the west. Sometimes they sneak in, just as the sun rises quietly in the east. But always, they come, just as they came for our Savior, Jesus Christ. When the devil tempts Jesus in the wilderness, the enemy quotes Psalm 91: “He will give his angels orders concerning you, to protect you, and they will support you with their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone” (Luke 4:10–11).
In their book, The Songs of Jesus, Tim and Kathy Keller wrote: “The devil wants us to think that God’s promises have failed if he lets us suffer. But the psalm later clarifies that God will save us ‘in trouble’ and not from it.” In other words, we do not need a refuge from the quiet, the sadness, brokenness, and pain; we need a refuge from the storm that is inevitably coming (John 16:33). Suffering was sewn into our existence at the fall, but Psalm 91 shouts into the rushing wind:
“The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say concerning the LORD, who is my refuge and my fortress …
His faithfulness will be a protective shield” (vv.1–2,4).
I am thankful for the whole of Scripture, and for the ways it quiets my soul on the hardest of days. The riches of Psalm 91 are vast, with so many metaphors and names for God, calling us backward and forward through the Old and New Testaments. It does so beautifully what the whole of Scripture does: it paints a picture of our hopeless existence apart from God, and it beckons us into the fullness of life in relationship with Him. A life that, though marked with suffering, is ultimately guaranteed and secured by the personhood and work of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. NKJV
Side note – one commentary drew attention to this chapter and verse reference – 9 1 1, a call for help.
Among the many definitions of Abide is to continue in a place. Do we spend our time continuing to seek, dwell with and abide with the Lord Most High? Or are we only seeking and running to him when we find ourselves in the midst of, or headed straight for trouble?
Lord, help me to dwell in, abide in and trust in You every day – close enough to be in Your shadow.
On looking at comments in the Mark study, NANCY S asked for continued prayer as she cares for her husband who has Alzheimer’s.
Hi and welcome, SOPHIE BISHOP!
MERCY – joining you in prayer for where we live – local, state and national – and also for the leaders of everything from school boards to the White House.
SARAH D – glad the interview went well and praying for your shadowing the next 2 days. Also praying for the upcoming cross training in your current job, that the knowledge and skills learned would be beneficial in other areas too.
MICHELLE PATIRE – continuing to pray for your family. The Lord is the ultimate Way Maker. I confused myself and was thinking about Chain Breaker by Zach Williams. When I searched for Way Maker to listen, I realized my “mistake” and learned the origin of the familiar Way Maker song – it was written by Sinach (Nigerian gospel singer). The Sinach – Way Maker Official Video is beautiful.
THERESA – Amen! Let’s not let planning get in the way of prayer.
KELLY (NEO) ❤️
CEE GEE – Omnipresence! I have a sign – Don’t Worry About Tomorrow – GOD is Already There.
We are so blessed by all that He is ❤️
HEIDI ❤️ :) :) laughing here too! For me, it’s been 45+ years since college but I clearly remember the pressure of everyone wanting everything at the same time.
And I loved those play times with our nieces and nephews, and now with their littles – they grow up past the playground age before I can blink.
Praying for guidance as coordination for travel continues – may the Lord guide your itinerary.
Under his wings you will find refuge v 4b such encouragement in a short phrase. It reminds me of Lauren Diagle’s song titled your wings. What protection it is to find refuge in the wings of God!
Reminds me of when Jeses said, ‘in this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world”
Hello Shes, I’m in the UK so always checking in before most of you and then reading back your comments and encouragements from yesterday! Thought I’d say hi today and share that I loved the quote from the Kellers about God being with us and saving us IN trouble. So true and so lovely to hear today.
I love this so much because we can know that GOD can protect us in times of crisis and war and fear
its good to understand that God isn’t protecting us FROM a storm but protecting us WHEN the storm comes. the storm is like our test to see if we will call for help during the scariest times.
❤️
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