Monday of Lent 1, March 6, 2017 Psalm 91:9-10
Psalm 91:9-10 English Standard Version (ESV)
9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge[a]—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
Those who take refuge in the Lord are not exempt from the dangers but will be protected in the midst of them. God will not let these threats separate us from Him so that we end up like the wicked. (See Romans 8:31-39 for this assurance) 1
How does the Lord rescue us from every evil of body and soul, possessions and reputation? In a world ruined by sin, the Lord keeps us from harm and helps us to endure the troubles that he allows to come into our lives. At the time, we might think this to be punishment. But the Lord will use every situation to draw us closer to Him to guide and sustain us in our faith. 2
These words might, at first reading, seem to ring hallow. We are surrounded by evil. Plagues may torment us in the form of sickness, depression, misery. But we are not defeated. The devil can do his best. He cannot defeat us. John in his epistle gives us the reason for such confidence. “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4
Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully increase in us your gifts of holy discipline, in almsgiving, prayer and fasting; that our lives may be directed to the fulfilling of your most gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 3
[1]
Lutheran Study Bible © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[1] 7th
Petition of the Lord’s Prayer, Luther’s Small Catechism Concordia Publishing
House, St. Louis
Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
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