The 91st Psalm is a scripture that is precious to many Christians. It speaks about hiding behind God. “God is my shelter, my refuge, I will hide in His shadow and under His wings. He will deliver me”. I have known many Christians who have survived the most terrible of circumstances while clinging to the promises of this Psalm. Perhaps it would be a good time to pause and read this Psalm or listen to it here.
“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… Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.” Psalm 91:11-12; 14-15 (NASB)
Jesus claimed the promises of this Psalm. But on two occasions, Jesus was taunted by the words of this wonderful passage of Scripture. These passages were thrown in Jesus’ face by Satan and evil men. Satan taunted Jesus with that big “IF.” “If you are the Son of God,” Satan said, “Throw yourself down from the height of the Temple. For it says, ‘The Angels will deliver you.’” Evil men gathered around the cross reviling and taunting Jesus who was hanging pitifully on the cross, “Let God deliver you,” they mocked Him, “since you are His son!” They spat on Jesus and said terrible things against Him. “If you are what you think you are, come down from the cross.” But God did deliver His Only Son. He raised Jesus from the dead and exalted Him to the very throne of Heaven. God never told Jesus that He would not have trouble in the days of His flesh. But God assured His Son of deliverance. We have not been promised that there would never be a “terror at night”, or an “arrow that flies by day,” or “pestilence that stalks in darkness”, or “destruction that lays waste at noon.” God has promised that we can have no fear of these things if we trust in Him. By His life, Jesus showed us that no matter what happens to us is this world, God will deliver us from this life into the next. Hide behind God. He is always there to be our shield and our fortress, so that our faith will not fail in the time of trouble.
“Father in heaven, thank You for being a shelter for me when things go wrong in life. I have no need to be terrified, because You are with me. Your love sustains me. Your grace saves me. I am hiding behind You. All glory to You, my Father! In Jesus name, AMEN.”
George Cargill
Author of In the Grip of God: Journey into Corinth