1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
4 He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
And from the perilous pestilence.
4 He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
- Psalm 91:1-6
A great Psalm to meditate upon this morning. When times are dark and perilous and when traps have been laid for our destruction, God is our strength and defense. Verse 4 says that God's truth will be our shield. The truth that He is in control and that He has a plan will give us hope. The truth that He will win the battle gives us strength. The truth that He will not leave us or forsake us gives us comfort. These truths and many, many more all combine to form a defense around us.
While thinking about this defense is comforting, I must not forget the foundation of this refuge. Verse 1 tells me I must dwell in the secret place. Most people don't share secrets with strangers. If I am constantly living in sin and neglecting my relationship with God I cannot be in the secret place. The secret place is reserved for those who have their hearts in tune with God. Verse 2 tells me that God is my fortress. Just as secrets are reserved for those with a close relationship, a fortress is for those who are on the same side of a battle. If I am choosing to dabble in Satan's army I cannot expect to run into the fortress of the Lord. There is a constant spiritual battle raging around me. I cannot reside in God's fortress while my actions show defection from His army. Each day I must keep my heart clean and open and walk in unison with my Lord. I must be relying on God and God alone to be my strength. I must be placing my full trust upon Him and living to glorify Him, not my own flesh. When my relationship is strong and I am covered with the armor of God, I will be able to reside in the secret place of my King and fight my battle from His fortress.
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