We were men with sorrows behind us, and battles too; men with regrets behind us of which we did not speak, nor too often think. We’ve none to share our sorrows or regrets, we kept them to ourselves, and our faces were impassive. Men with no one to share their feelings learn to conceal those feelings. We often spoke lightly of things which we took very seriously indeed. We were sentimental men, but that was our secret, for an enemy who knows your feelings is an enemy who has a hold on you.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Lonely Men)
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
–Romans 8:18 (NKJV)
—————————————
I’m not sure how it is now, but when I was serving in the military one of our most prized possessions was our shot records. To lose those, oh my, the agony. They were as vital to our well-being as our financial records. I never had trouble taking shots, in fact, in basic training they used the “gun.” I liked it; it was easy, and quick. Then from that point on, especially if you were going to another country, a third-world country, you would have to take certain shots. The purpose–protection. With that in mind, let’s look at the next part of Psalm 91.
7 — A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.
8 — Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.
9 — Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10 — No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. (NKJV)
“Wait a minute?” I hear you cry. John the Baptist lost his head; Stephen was stoned to death; James was killed with the sword, and I had loved ones die with COVID. Yes, yes, that may be true, however, nothing destroyed their relationship with God, and should not have destroyed yours if you lost someone close and dear.
Normally we think of verse 7 as a physical battle, but think of it. How many did you see fall during the “pandemic”? Perhaps, a different sort of thought, how many did you see lose their faith, faltering and quivering with fear? Open your eyes, isn’t that a deeper danger? Should we not realize that our relationship (there’s that word again) is with the Lord? We should be living in Him; He is our refuge and dwelling place (verses 1-2), No matter what storm, battle, disease, pestilence, that may be around you, the Lord is there to protect you–the real, deeper you.
This psalm doesn’t mean “we will be immune to all disease or danger, but we do know that the Lord will keep us safe from eternal harm.” (William Petersen). Remember, nothing can touch God’s people unless God allows it. Let me give you a word of warning: do not use God’s word flippantly. For example, the other day a person replied to the concern of another during a storm that occured, “we’re fine, we’re covered with the blood.” There is something missing here. This is not a statement of faith, but one of not understanding the Scriptures, not realizing reality. The rain falls on the just and the unjust. Derek Kidner wrote, “Verse 10 is a statement of providence, not a charm against adversity.” Read the Epistles of the New Testament, and the words of Jesus. There is adversity for the believer; there is suffering, but there is security in the knowledge that the Lord will not forsake His people.
“What I have to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.”
–Elisha A. Hoffman
—————————————
I’m not sure how it is now, but when I was serving in the military one of our most prized possessions was our shot records. To lose those, oh my, the agony. They were as vital to our well-being as our financial records. I never had trouble taking shots, in fact, in basic training they used the “gun.” I liked it; it was easy, and quick. Then from that point on, especially if you were going to another country, a third-world country, you would have to take certain shots. The purpose–protection. With that in mind, let’s look at the next part of Psalm 91.
7 — A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.
8 — Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.
9 — Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10 — No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. (NKJV)
“Wait a minute?” I hear you cry. John the Baptist lost his head; Stephen was stoned to death; James was killed with the sword, and I had loved ones die with COVID. Yes, yes, that may be true, however, nothing destroyed their relationship with God, and should not have destroyed yours if you lost someone close and dear.
Normally we think of verse 7 as a physical battle, but think of it. How many did you see fall during the “pandemic”? Perhaps, a different sort of thought, how many did you see lose their faith, faltering and quivering with fear? Open your eyes, isn’t that a deeper danger? Should we not realize that our relationship (there’s that word again) is with the Lord? We should be living in Him; He is our refuge and dwelling place (verses 1-2), No matter what storm, battle, disease, pestilence, that may be around you, the Lord is there to protect you–the real, deeper you.
This psalm doesn’t mean “we will be immune to all disease or danger, but we do know that the Lord will keep us safe from eternal harm.” (William Petersen). Remember, nothing can touch God’s people unless God allows it. Let me give you a word of warning: do not use God’s word flippantly. For example, the other day a person replied to the concern of another during a storm that occured, “we’re fine, we’re covered with the blood.” There is something missing here. This is not a statement of faith, but one of not understanding the Scriptures, not realizing reality. The rain falls on the just and the unjust. Derek Kidner wrote, “Verse 10 is a statement of providence, not a charm against adversity.” Read the Epistles of the New Testament, and the words of Jesus. There is adversity for the believer; there is suffering, but there is security in the knowledge that the Lord will not forsake His people.
“What I have to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.”
–Elisha A. Hoffman