READ Psalm 91:1–4. 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
TWO WAYS GOD PROTECTS. Two contrasting metaphors are used for God’s protection: a fortress filled with shields and ramparts; and a mother bird gathering her brood underneath her wings. The fortress has walls of impregnable strength. Spears and arrows make not a dent. The mother bird, however, shelters with wings that are essentially fragile. She shelters her young from burning heat or rain and cold only by bearing them herself. The Old Testament does not explain how this impervious strength and sacrificial, loving weakness could be combined in God. It is on the cross where we see the absolute righteous power and the tender, sacrificial love of God combine and shine forth brilliantly, both equally fulfilled.
Prayer: Lord, I praise you for both your majesty and your meekness in Jesus Christ. “Let us wonder! Grace and justice join and point to mercy’s store; When through grace in Christ our trust is, justice smiles and asks no more: He Who washed us with His blood has secured our way to God.”87 Amen.