Psalm Meditation 859
Second Sunday of Advent
December 4, 2016

Psalm 91
1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
2 will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”
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, or the arrow that flies by day,
6 or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the LORD your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place,
10 no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.
14 Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.
15 When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them.
16 With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.
(NRSV)

Being in a dangerous situation and being afraid are two different things. In some situations, we have no idea how dangerous it is so we rush in as if no danger exists and realize later how foolish we have been. Sometimes we are aware of the danger and go in because of some greater need. Sometimes we are afraid because the danger is remembered or anticipated rather than present in the current situation. And there are folks who claim not to be afraid of anything. In some situations we are less afraid because we are with one who allays our fear.

The psalmist reminds people that in whatever situation they may find themselves God is with them. While there are certainly reasons to be afraid, knowing that God is with them they can be a less so. God is present to shield them, protect them and deliver them from any and all situations in which they find themselves. God will be with them and rescue them in every trouble in which they call out for God.

I believe that God is with each person in every time and place. I also believe that God rescues more folks than we know about. People of faith are aware of God’s presence and cry out for help. When it comes they give God credit for the help they have received. God may help others as well even though they do not recognize the hand of God at work in the particular situation or in their lives. Just because we don’t recognize or acknowledge the source of our help does not mean we have not been helped.

November 28, 2016
LCM