JULY 24, 2024
READ: Psalm 91 (Focus vs. 1-2 & 14-16)
MEMORY VERSE
“He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2
BACKGROUND
After his wife died, Fred felt he could endure the pain as long as he had his Monday breakfasts with his buddies. His fellow retirees lifted his spirits. Whenever sadness came, Fred would think about the next time he’d enjoy their company again. Their corner table was his safe place from grief.
Over time, however, the gatherings ended. Some friends became ill; others passed away.
The emptiness led Fred to seek solace in the God he’d met in his youth. “I have breakfast by myself now,” he says, “but I remember to hold on to the truth that Jesus is with me. And when I leave the diner, I don’t leave to face the rest of my days alone.”
Like the psalmist, Fred discovered the safety and comfort of God’s presence: “He is my refuge . . . in whom I trust” (Psalm 91:2). Fred came to know safety not as a physical place to hide, but as the steadfast presence of God that we can trust and rest in (v. 1).
Both Fred and the psalmist found that they didn’t have to face difficult days alone. We too can be assured of God’s protection and help. When we turn to Him in trust, He promises to respond and be with us (vv. 14-16).
Do we have a safe place, a “corner table” we go to when life is hard? It won’t last but God will. He waits for us to go to Him, our true refuge.
By: Karen Huang
INSIGHT
No author is given for Psalm 91. However, because verses 1-2 continue the theme of God as “our dwelling place” introduced in Psalm 90:1, some scholars suggest that Moses wrote both psalms as an exposition of Deuteronomy 33:27: “The eternal God is your refuge.”
The psalmist warns of threats, insidious traps, deadly diseases, unexpected events, physical attacks, and disasters that endanger us (Psalm 91:3, 5-6). This psalm doesn’t promise exemption from such dangers, but it assures us that there’s refuge in God (vv. 9-16).
Those who “trust” Him (v. 2), who love Him (v. 14), and who pray to Him (v. 15) need not fear.
Various vivid metaphors are used to describe the security and safety He provides: “shelter of the Most High” and “shadow of the Almighty” (v. 1); “refuge” and “fortress” (v. 2); “shield and rampart” (v. 4); and “dwelling” (v. 9).
By: K. T. Sim
APPLICATION
When life is hard, what’s your safe place? How can you turn to and trust God as your refuge?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“…safety not as a physical place to hide, but as the steadfast presence of God that we can trust and rest in.”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“God is not an employer looking for employees. He is an Eagle looking for people who will take refuge under His wings.” John Piper
“If a lion is not accepted in its own den, it will find no refuge in the rest of the jungle.” Wes Fesler. Yes if we can’t find refuge in the Lord we can’t find it anywhere else
PRAYER
“Dear God, You’re my safe place. Yours is the presence that will never leave me to fend for myself. Your help and protection surround me always.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD”
A mighty Fortress is our God
A Bulwark never failing
Our Helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe
His craft and power are great
And armed with cruel and hate
On earth is not his equal
Did we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing
We’re not the right Man on our side
The Man of God’s own choosing
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He
Lord Sabaoth His Name
From age to age, the same
And He must win the battle
That word above all earthly powers
No, thanks to them, abideth
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth
Let goods and kindred go
This mortal life also
The body they may kill
God’s truth abideth still
His Kingdom is forever
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
PROVERBS 28
