Psalm 91 – the Protection Psalm.

It’s called the Soldier’s Psalm. You can print it out at Lamppost Publishing. It is said that it was prayed by the 91st Brigade and they suffered no casualties.

I want to believe that this is psalm is a promise that is absolute.

~~~Especially this part~~~
Ps 91:3 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.
~~~~and this part~~~~
Ps 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

Yes there are the qualifiers:

vs 1 dwells in the shelter of the Most High
vs 2 says to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
vs 9 has made the Lord your dwelling place—
vs 9 has made the Most High, your refuge
vs 14 holds fast to God in love
vs 15 knows MY(God’s) name.

I suppose that if I walked perfectly, without sin, then nothing would happen to me, to hurt me…right? We always have the promises in Deuteronomy 28. Even that comes with qualifiers:

Deut 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if
a. thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God,
b. to observe [and]
c. to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

Are we really supposed to be protected from all the evil that is in the world?  If everything went right for Christians, we’d have no problem evangelizing, or would we?  When the Jews, who followed God’s cleansing laws, didn’t get the diseases around them, they were attacked for calling on their God to attack those that got sick!  When a family has raised children that are obedient, respectful, God-fearing and God serving, others don’t say “Hey, how did you do that…I want my kids to be just like yours!”  Others say – you are too strict, you are too narrow minded…you are stunting your children’s growth, all the time their children are running amuck.

My children are not the perfect God-fearing, missionary, ministry focused youth, so, I can say the above.  They had a problem.  They had a handicap. They had Jim and I for parents.  And, we are imperfect.  We have a fallen nature.  We made mistakes – probably more than even those we’d rather not broadcast!  So, we had injuries.  We had sickness.  We had financial issues.  We didn’t qualify for Deut 28.  We tried to abide under the shadow of the almighty, and dwell in the secret place…but we kept steppin’ out of the covering!  Because we ARE human!

The Bible is not black and white. WHAT???!!!??? Is this CHRISTI writing???!!!???

While there are these promises for protection, there ARE qualifications – cause and effect – consequences – and, um, freedom of choice – free will – which can turn into self will!

Jesus was perfect…and those last few days were pretty painful to Him.  It was because of our sin.

Is 53:5 But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Have you stopped transgressing?  I haven’t.
Have you overcome all your iniquities?  I haven’t.

Therefore, the chastisement of our peace was laid upon him, and he gave us peace.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

And by his STRIPES we are healed.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

WHOA! THERE’S MORE QUALIFIERS! Or is it the responsible reaction of gratitude?

God KNEW we would still have trouble with our sinful nature…and gave us even MORE help!

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.

Why am I contemplating this today?  There have been several incidents lately that have made me dig deeper into my understanding of God’s handling of my affairs.

Today, I learned that my middle son almost lost his finger in a log splitting accident.

I know he isn’t walking ‘perfectly’ with the Lord – just by what I know!  But, even though his finger was not protected, and the bone was cut in two – God DID protect him, and in his drugged state, he called and told my husband these ways, giving God the praise:

1. it did not go all the way through…it has all the parts cut, and the bone broken…but missed the artery.
2. He had gloves on. Grandson Brayden was with him and did not see much at all – was fine until the ambulance got there.
3. Brayden’s mom was out there – a) they are trying to work out their relationship, b) she was able to take care of Brayden and Steve
4. The doctor at the community hospital put it back on, then sent him to a bigger hospital…which was so impressed with her work, it did not need to be re reattached.
5. They are sure that they can reattach tendons and such – he has a consult tomorrow (Friday)

Stephen was praising God for all these ways that God protected him…and we join him in that praise and thanks!

All of the mighty men and women of the Bible had ‘bad’ things happen to them in their lives.  How do I hold both the evidence of a fallen world(we don’t live in the Garden of Eden) with the promises of protection and provision?

I Believe:

1. God is Who He says He is.
2. God can do what He says He can do.
3. I am who God says I am
4. I can do what He says I can do(all things through Christ!)
5. God’s word is active and alive in me.

from Beth Moore – Believing God.

I believe that God’s Word – the Bible as we know it – is, well:

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Therefore, what seems to be a contradiction, is just a matter of digging deeper, to get understanding.

Dog owners – have you watched the shows Dog Whisperer or It’s Me or the Dog?  To train a dog, you do not give them affection when they are doing the wrong thing.  You praise them when they are doing the right thing, and give them blessings called treats!  As humans we are just now learning this…maybe God knew it all along?

Parents – are you familiar with such training as Positive Parenting? Actually, I have only heard rave reviews.  My training for child care at the YMCA utilized this type of training.  When a child is misbehaving, you do not give them the attention they are trying to obtain.  When the child is behaving you lay praise and adoration on thick!  You choose discipline that leads the child to an ability to self control, and eventually, other character qualities.  IBLP has a great training about Character Qualities. Another group, Character First has great resources as well.

What’s my point? We’re not here to be protected from physical harm.  Noah lost everything in a flood!  And he was the only righteous man found!  Lot was protected from destruction.  Jesus was beaten, and crucified – and He was PERFECT.

A child that ate candy all their life would have cavities.  Is that God’s fault? It’s a consequence of the choices(for a child, the parent’s).
Lot’s family was delivered from the destruction, and because of their hearts, they then brought destruction upon themselves. It was THEIR choices!

I have health issues because of how I have NOT taken care of this temple…that’s NOT God’s fault, that’s cause and effect. I can, however, use these ‘negatives’ to change things, and then ask God’s favor, grace and mercy to help me ‘get it right’.  After all, that’s God’s purpose – to have me run into His tower for protection, and dwell with Him!

The spirit of the man is what is important. The purpose for anything in our lives is to make us more like Jesus.

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

To me, the promise of protection is a ‘carrot’ that reminds me to DWELL under the shadow of the Almighty!
To me, the promises of Deuteronomy 28 are ‘rewards’ for choosing to obey what God has shown me.

YES – when something bad happens, I do check out my relationship with God first! Then, if I need to repent – I do it.  If I need to turn around, or ask forgiveness, or change something – I do it!

I KNOW that my heavenly Father loves me, and gives me ONLY good gifts.  James 1:17
I KNOW that bad things happen because of my fallen nature. James 1:13-16
I KNOW that all things work together for my good….Romans 8:28(there’s a qualifier here!)
I KNOW that God has a plan for my life – Jeremiah 29:11
And that plan has been in effect since before I was born…Psalm 139:13-17, Jeremiah 1:5
I KNOW that bad things happen, because of the fallen nature of the world…Romans 8:22

I also know, by combining these scriptures and many others, that some perfect gifts come wrapped in bags of garbage.  It I toss them out, and complain about the garbage, I will never get that diamond, ruby, sapphire that is hidden in the midst of the garbage.  It’s just like those presents that people give with multiple boxes, filled with newspaper…only the gift at the end of this garbage bag is eternal…and growing closer to the Everlasting God!

God’s ways are so much higher than ours. The foolishness of man(what confuses man) is the wisdom of God.

Romans 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Col 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk ye in him:

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Does it make any sense that one person, totally void of any wrong doing, would take the death penalty for all the terrorists in the world? All the rapists? All the murderers? All the child abusers? All the kidnappers?  No.  It doesn’t make any sense to me.
Does it make any sense that the death of one man could provide the choice for anyone, whosoever chooses, to be washed of all their crimes, and to start life anew – nothing hanging over them?  No.  It doesn’t make any sense to me.
Does it make any sense that a person, to whom so much has been given, would go back to their crimes, and muck up the beautiful opportunities laid before them?  No.  It doesn’t make any sense to me.
Does it make sense that the Bible has promises for perfect protection, as a result of perfect obedience? Yes.
Does it make sense that a judge would give out leniency, mercy, and grace to criminals that break the laws of his jurisdiction? No. And yet, God blesses the just and the unjust every day.
Does it make sense that a loving Heavenly Father would make a way for His erring children to come back into fellowship – and receive the blessing of His presence through Jesus Christ, our ambassador?  As a mother, this makes sense to me. As a citizen, I want the full application of the law! Put those ogres in prison!

So, I have conflicts with what many take for granted in God’s word…and yet, I can hold the conflict of protection, with the bad things that happen together in my heart as both true. Why? Because Christianity IS FAITH! I may not be able to see the sense in what God has done, but I am so grateful for the ‘foolishness’ of God that has washed me from my sins, that I am willing to receive all the ‘foolishness’ of God as just far above my wisdom. Jesus asked the questioning Pharisees – Is it easier to heal or to forgive sins? In truth, it is much easier to heal…because forgiveness comes very hard! So, the greatest mystery is that God sent His Son to die on my behalf…everything else is just, well, faith!

I have been guilty of asking “WHY ME?” or “WHY MY FAMILY?” at times…and, I have repented.  The question should be “WHY NOT ME?”  Why do you choose to look upon my family with grace and mercy, when we are not perfect?  Why didn’t I leave 2 seconds earlier and be in that huge accident right behind me?  Why didn’t my babies die at birth when things looked so bad? Why didn’t Jim lose his job, and we go for months on unemployment?  Why didn’t I get cancer?  Why not us?  Because, HE LOVES US!  And because HE loves us first, we love Him.

Here is a passage from Isaiah – to just remind us what Jesus did for us…and can we take the little difficulties(as Paul said) and choose to count them but joy?(2 Cor 4:16; 2 Cor 11:23; Phil 3)

Isa 53:1	Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Isa 53:2	For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him.
Isa 53:3	He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isa 53:4	Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5	But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa 53:6	All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

I have one last quote:

“If you wish to know God, you must know his Word.
If you wish to perceive His power, you must see how He works by his Word.
If you wish to know His purpose before it comes to pass, you can only discover it by His Word.”
…(C.H. Spurgeon)

I lied:

Sola Fide – by faith alone
Sola Gracia – only by God’s grace
Sola Scriptura – only by God’s word
Solus Christus – through Christ only
Soli Deo Gloria – only for the glory of God.

Bad things WILL happen. That’s NOT the point.  The point IS – how will we respond?  I want to always run to the tower of the Lord, and to dwell under the shadow of His wings – because it’s only through the Lord that I have help to make it through the bad things that happen.

Prov 18:10 The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

In case you are interested, Mary Jane Holt, of the The Citizen researched the story, and the truth about the Soldier prayer...very nicely done.
Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

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