What's Wrong with Psalm 91?

 

Chris in His standing frame outside

After my son's wreck, I had trouble reading some scriptures. My faith had to be totally redefined. I've shared how the "faith" movement had indirectly taught that when bad things happened it was because we lacked faith. And to not be able to confess your way out or quote scriptures through to "victory" was reprehensible. There was really something big wrong with you. So, I bought a new Bible and started in Genesis and read the Bible with new eyes  - through a painful, broken soul. I saw things so differently and learned how to trust God with my honest, raw emotions.

One scripture that just kept coming up and making me mad was Psalm 91. I've quoted it. I even sang it in the 70s.. lol. But it's been misused and twisted to make us think that nothing bad will happen if we stay under God's protection. Or - that we must not be trusting Him if we find ourselves in bad situations. Isn't God protecting us? Why doesn't He protect us from these bad things? He protects us better than that actually. He protects our souls - absolutely nothing can happen to our souls when we stay tucked in under the protection of His heart.

The second verse should alert us to this truth. David says, I will say of the Lord - He is my refuge - from what? We don't need a refuge unless there is a storm. Verse 3 says God will rescue us - from what? Verse 4 says He will protect us and shield us. Reading through this psalm again gives so much insight. Verse 15 says, I will be with them  in trouble. It doesn't say He'll make sure we never have any trouble - instead, He says He will be with us right smack dab in the middle of it. 

So, Psalm 91 is not a special enchantment or magic words we can say over situations to make them disappear. Instead, I can read it with new eyes and use it to remind myself that God is right here with me in my soul's worst turmoil. In the brokenness. In the storm. In the trials of caregiving. He will not abandon!

Today, I will remind myself that God is my shield and protection right here in the middle of life's storms. He is not afraid of my emotions, my hurt, my confusion...instead, He moves in close to bring comfort and peace to my troubled heart and soul. I will meditate on His nearness today and choose to trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?


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•Psalm 119:11 I have hidden Your word in my heart…
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