A Promise Most Do Not Accept
God protects and improves every life that truly lets him. Most, however, prefer to go it on their own.
This is my third installment on Psalm 91. The first two covered the first two verses, but I think we can pick up the pace now. This is because if we understand the beginning two lines, I think the rest of the psalm will fall into place.
In verse one we understand that God is above us in all ways imaginable and not by just a little. He is above us in ways beyond comprehension. This means, unless he reveals himself and invites us up to be with him he will remain unknowable, unreachable, and a complete mystery. Fortunately he has equipped us with minds capable of comprehending language as well as imaginative powers that provide us the opportunity to commune with The Almighty within the space of our own brains.
In verse two we choose to do just this; to go there in our imagination and make him our refuge and fortress. We decide God will be for us our only solution for all the problems we face. To be clear, this means we will renounce all other options for our protection and salvation. This includes relying on our own intellect, skills and abilities, resources and bank accounts, social connections, along with every other self-help option offering us advice and easy solutions.
Now if after reading what I just written you are thinking to yourself, “This is a bit over the top,”then join the club. I have thought this many times. However, this doubt is like that thread in the fabric, that when pulled, destroys the garment.
Now let’s get real.
I wrote the above statements about the first two verses in first-person-plural because no one is excluded from this offer or opportunity to have a profound, intimate, one-of-a-kind relationship with the Creator of Everything. However, the reality is that perhaps one in ten thousand will choose to make this commitment. Most of us will simply appreciate the general idea without taking it completely seriously. Seriously enough to stake our lives on it.
With this in mind - that we can choose to find our refuge and fortress in God alone, let’s list out what prizes are behind this particular door for the contestant who exclusively picks God. What will this one get in return, as guaranteed by God himself?
Promise 1: God will pull you out of all traps you find yourself in. He will protect you from diseases common to others. Verse 3.
Promise 2: To get to you your enemies will have to go through God. Verse 4.
Promise 3: You will sleep peacefully regardless your circumstances. It won’t be that you won’t have problems, but they will seem to be placed a safe distance from your joy and peace. Verse 5.
More to come . . .