Psalm 91

            I’m continuing sharing portions of my ‘mini-retreat’ talk that I gave at Nellis Air Force Base. This is one of 5 psalms we experienced at the women’s retreat the day prior, a Saturday. (If you missed yesterday’s entry from same, I invite you to go back and read that after you finish reading today’s installment. This one is rather brief.) It was a lovely day. God was with us, as He always is…

We used the 91^st Psalm in the retreat yesterday. That’s the one that begins “You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High…” It’s the hymn “On Eagle’s Wings,” I’m sure you’re all familiar with. I wasn’t sure about the Air Force, but in the Army, it is quite popular with Chaplains to share Psalm 91 with Soldiers who are deploying. It’s about God keeping you safe, “under His wings, His refuge.” Remember the words, “my God in whom I trust.”

Trust and Confidence is God  

So that Psalm really is a great prayer of trust and confidence in God’s protection and His providential care over us. We can wonder why people have to die when we pray for their safety and their return to us. And that is a mystery, why some people return from a combat zone unscathed and others do not. I’ve known too many who have not, but my love of God and my trust in Him will not falter ultimately. Once again, as in the Psalms of Lament, I ask why. I will not know this side of Heaven. None of us will. We must believe that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” (Romans Chapter 8, verse 28)

The only thing that gives me solace is remembering that this is not our Home. That just as Jesus died and rose again, so will we one glorious day. We can pray for the repose of the souls of those who have gone before us and that is a consolation. I hope. It is for me. And we can admit that we don’t know how deep and how wide is the love and mercy of God. But our hope is in God. I cling to that.

And let’s contemplate about what true safety is. True safety relies on the Lord of Hosts, who we know wants us with Him. True confidence lies in the God who saves. Let us hold that thought in our hearts and minds.