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.
Crazy day today but finally sitting long enough to get my response posted. This Psalm became my daily Scripture claim during my last pregnancy over 30 years ago! Fifth disease was running through our elementary school and I was subbing almost daily. The school nurse encouraged me to delay subbing until after the baby was born since the fetus was at risk if I got the disease. Since our2 older sons attended that school, I still felt threatened by it. God protected all of us and there was never harm to our baby. Forever thankful for this beautifully written Psalm!!!
SEARCHING – I love that sign message!
Continued prayers for each of you!
Wow Psalm 91- where do I start? The Psalm that has been there to shield and encourage me in the darkest of times. I declared this Psalm over 2 years long over Covid and the threats and snares of the global fear, the devil did use its false prophets (social media) to proclaim death and death and hopelessness, and even through the opinions of certain people around me to pose overwhelming fear, but thanks to this heroic Psalm 91, we are still standing firm, untouched but only seeing thousands fall right by our side, by His grace and firm promise, we are untouched. I declared this psalm going through my labour, through the pain knowing no evil or manifestations will touch me. I declared this when going through abandonment and rejection in relationships. And I am declaring this psalm today and again over any fear. We learn about ourselves as we grow in God. Our fears are often unique to us, some hide better than others, but the declaration of the Sword of God will cut off the root of fear. Don’t fear, just believe! Again, don’t fear, simply believe. For God confirms resoundingly He does not give us fear (2 Tim 1:7).. BUT he gives us the spirit of power/strength to conquer and rise above (The righteous are as bold as lions-Proverbs 28:1). So let’s uproot any fear by the Sharp Sword of God- this reminds me of my recent uprooting the weeds in my garden with my trusty and sharp Fiskar 2-edged garden knife (very satisfying lol). Be blessed dear sisters. May the Truth of God be your shield (Psalm 91:4) through thick and thin. “So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19 KJV). Hugs and love to you all dear sweet and faithful she’s.❤️
Good morning my fellow She’s. Psalm 91 is another go-tonPsalm for me. I too loved the Keller quote. Praying for all the requests. I’m so grateful for all y’all.
Welcome Sophie. In using a site called ‘My One Word “, I chose in January,abide as my word for the year. Some days I have to admit, I’m not always abiding as I should. So thankful for each of you.❤️
Good morning She’s! Psalm 91 is such a beautiful psalm. I loved going back after reading it and underlining all the names & characteristics of God used – the Most High, the Almighty, my refuge, my fortress, my God, my rescuer, His faithfulness, the LORD. It was a needed reminder when the writer shared the quote from Tim Keller’s book: “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.” God does allow suffering in our lives, it is always for our good and for His glory – which is easy to forget when we are in the midst of it. Father God, please remind us in the midst of our suffering – that you do love us and You will rescue us, in Your time, in Your way. Amen.
Continuing to pray for your requests and praising God for all the answers thus far!
@Sophie Bishop – welcome to the group! I was just in the UK, it’s so beautiful!
@Michille Patire – thanks for sharing about your podcast – I’ve made a note to listen!
@all my She Sisters – would love to connect with you on FB or Instagram – it’s always so nice to put a name to a face! If you’d like to connect you can find me by my name – Sharon Scheibenpflug.
Have a blessed Thursday!
Good morning Shes, so thankful to have this platform although it’s much smaller. I had difficulty at first navigating how to find it but I’m here now. So thankful for the many answers to prayer. Our place of safety is to continue under God’s word and His direction. During my 70th birthday year I chose Waymaker as my theme song and I listened to it daily and by various artists. Praying for those who are grieving,struggling, waiting, seekingGod is able to do exceedingly more than we can ask or think❤️
Thank you @Searching for the prayers. I am familiar with the song Chain Breaker, too! Both are wonderful songs to pray over someone you love! :) I remember I heard “Waymaker” months before the pandemic happened. I think that song and “The Blessing” really became songs I clung to the next two years… I am sure others feel similarly.
@Mercy- thank you :) good to see your posts, though I figured you were still here, following along!
@Lehua- good to hear the conversation at least got the ball rolling! Hope your time training your new co-worker has been going well and things are starting to transition at work!
@Heidi- I also laughed at Searching’s comment. You are a diligent woman, taking summer classes. I did that when I was in school – it did help me finish sooner and my final semester’s workload was much lighter because of the effort I made in other “off seasons” (winter/summer courses). Your labor is not in vain- May you see God help you stay steady and accomplish your goals and more!!!
@Sarah D- excited for you!! It’s good to be researching these things in preparation- vlogs really do help! I basically used vlogs to train myself to learn how to Instacart well. Thankful for the internet… sometimes ;) haha! Grace and peace to you, girl!
This is the psalm I turn to anytime I can’t sleep and feel scared. It got me through a very dark season after God opened my eyes to the New Age and demonic strongholds in my life. I was constantly under attack because Satan hated my freedom… Still does! Lol. And because I had to learn why turning to things outside of God was not ok… I would make Psalm 91 my declaration and read it in first person. (If anyone is interested in that story, there is a 2-part podcast episode on the “Beyond Just Christian” podcast where I share my testimony. Some of you have already heard it, but figured I’d share it again! Dated in Dec 2021)
Anyways, today I just felt the whole psalm is a picture of God’s covering. You have to be near to Him to be abiding under His shadow! I pictured that literally in verse one.
I love this little group… though I tend to write so much more lol. Love you ladies!!! May we stay hidden in the secret place under the shadow of the Almighty! (Psalm 91:1 NKJV) Definitely still feeling your prayers <3 thank you.
The protection of the most high..
my refuge and strength..
in whom I trust..
will rescue you (me)…
will cover you (me)..
refuge under His wings…
will not fear..
pestilence will not reach you…
my refuge…
to protect you (me) in all your ways…
His heart set on Me
I (God) will protect Him (me)
He knows my name
I (God) will be with him (ME) in trouble
Praise God, HE has me.