Fortress
This week has been defined by the haze that has lingered over the area. Caused by the wildfires north of us, this smoke has caused airport disruptions, caused outdoor sports to be cancelled and even grounded some aircraft. The air smells different. At night the moon shines with a red tinge and in the day the sun is blurry. These are the things that long ago would have been taken as signs of the end of the world. Today still it causes general unease as it reminds us how quickly disaster can strike. Even disaster far from here, thousands of miles in fact, can affect us. If we are honest, that makes us feel vulnerable. When we feel vulnerable we want to retreat to a place of safety. These days that is often a creature comfort… food, streaming shows, hobbies, sleep, exercise, work, sex, drugs, rock and roll…anything to distract or bring a few moments “peace”. These things never last. Instead my friends retreat into the shelter of the Lord. I give you the 91st Psalm to consider today.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say[a] to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge[b]—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Notice there are two speakers in this Psalm.
Verse one through thirteen one speaks to the Lord
Verse fourteen through sixteen, the Lord speaks to the author.
You find these verses used in the temptation of Christ, and Jesus used the rest of the Scripture to chase away the devil. The Word of God took shelter in the word of God.
May we do likewise.
The peace of the Lord be with you,
-Pastor Dan