Psalm
91:1-10 –
This Psalm is suggested for next Sunday. The mention of terror or “threat” is reference to an attack by
one’s enemies. Thus it is paired with “arrows,”
as in arrows from an enemy. Think evil arrows.
These two references to threats from war are arrayed
alongside “pestilence” and “plague” (v. 6), two references to mortal diseases
that often reached epidemic proportions. How fitting for such times as these.
The Psalmist makes reference to “night…day,” at
whatever time of day or night the threat may come, you will be kept safe.
A question often asked is “where is God in all of this?” Where is God?
One of the curious things about the Psalms is that
there is often a declaration to the effect that if one is trusts God then no
harm will come to them. Unfortunately, experience teaches something quite
different. People of faith do get cancer, heart disease, heart attacks, and die
from any number of diseases. People of faith are crushed in spirit by acrid
verbal attacks, broken in body and mind by physical and emotional abuse, and
find themselves in a hospital or die as a result of all forms of violence. People
who do trust in God are acquainted with poverty, lack of food and clothing, and
experience starvation. So is the Psalmist correct here? What shall we make of
such an assertion?
The refuge that is found in God alone will sustain
people even if the body is destroyed. This refuge will provide rescue from
those things that would harm our relationship with God. The refuge is precisely
that. It is a refuge of solace that can provide an inner strength to endure the
harshest trials of life. In that sense, God’s presence is a refuge. Since God
is ever present in all circumstances of every waking and sleeping moment, then
there is a refuge that one can experience in the here and now, and in the
future yet to unfold. God is our rock shelter of hope.
Lord Jesus, when
tempted by the devil, you remained true to your Father, who commanded his
angels to watch over you. Guard your Church from the plague of sin, so that we
may remain faithful to you until the day when we enjoy the fullness of your
salvation; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and
forever. Amen
The Sacrament of the Altar
copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
Prayer for Psalm 91, For All
the Saints – A Prayer Book For and By the Church Year 1 © 1994American Lutheran
Publicity Bureau, Delhi NY
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