Thursday,  March 1, 2007
Today’s Scripture reading is Psalm 91.

In Luke’s gospel, Satan’s third attempt in tempting Jesus was to lead him to Jerusalem, have him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and then challenge him to throw himself down to prove himself and how he wouldn’t get hurt. In this temptation Satan referred to a passage from Psalm 91about God’s protection. “For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, that you do not strike your foot against a stone.” Satan misused and misapplied the promises of Scripture and Jesus responded by saying, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”

Psalm 91 is a psalm of trust, trusting God for His security and protection based on His character and His care. Psalm 91 is an incredible testimony about security in life, about the fact that whoever trusts in the One True God does find security and protection. To assure and confirm God’s protection, the psalmist uses a variety of images such as, shelter, shadow, refuge, fortress, the deliverance from frightening attacks, wings, shield and bulwark.

Many people are tempted to have fears and insecurities about circumstances in life and the things that could happen. Psalm 91is a firm message to confirm our faith in God and the promise of His protection. God even appoints angels to help in providing His protection. In speaking of angels, the author of Hebrews echoes the promise of protection by saying, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?”

In this season of Lent we are moving toward the celebration of the resurrection. In his first letter, Peter speaks of how God has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, we “who are protected by the power of God through faith.” As believers in Jesus and his resurrection, we have security in God and the promise of His protection.

Are you perhaps struggling with the temptations of fear and insecurity? Take Psalm 91 to heart. Have that faith and trust in God’s power and the promise of protection and security in Him.

Prayer: Gracious Lord, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Grant us the faith and trust to know we have the blessings of Your security and protection. Amen.

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.