DWELLING PLACE – AN ASSURANCE
Psalms 91 is a powerful Psalm that speaks to us about God, our Protector. As a kid, I remember memorizing this Psalm and feeling protected. Even today, this Psalm is a powerful assurance that He is my refuge and my fortress . Last night, I boarded an AirIndia express flight at Ahmedabad airport which was a bit delayed. I was so tired that I fell asleep as soon as I sat on my seat. I guess the taxing of our aircraft took some time but as soon as the flight took the momentum to take off my sleep broke and I was reminded of the ill fated Air India flight that could not take off and crashed. Same airport, same run way and the flight was full – I just thanked God that in His grace and mercy He made me rest/sleep. I could hear a sigh of relief in the flight once the flight reached the altitude.
Scary or bitter past memories haunt many people. I am sure many of us have such memories to share from our yesterdays. But what an assurance comes from the heart of God – His Word, God will save you – surely! I am sure the Psalmist must have heard of, understood, encountered and experienced the Snare and Pestilence. And as he worshiped the Living God, the Spirit of God must have whispered into his ears the truth that God Saves.
“Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings, you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
Psalms 91:3-4 NIV
Just a few pointers:
1. SAFE – FOWLER’S SNARE: It’s a Metaphor. A “fowler’s snare” refers to a trap used to catch birds, often employing a hidden or disguised mechanism to ensnare the unsuspecting prey. The term also appears metaphorically in this context, representing deceptive or dangerous traps laid to ensnare individuals, often with spiritual or moral implications. We are living in a fallen world. Every day, every minute this danger of deception is around us. We need protection – God Saves!
2. SAFE – DEADLY PESTILENCE: This again is a metaphor, but it is not for birds alone – it affects the creation. A deadly pestilence refers to a widespread, highly contagious, and often fatal disease that affects a large number of people. We have been through Pandemic – Covid 19. It can be used interchangeably with terms like “epidemic” or “plague,” and in some contexts, it is associated with divine judgment or punishment. No vaccine, no remedy, lot of side effects – both physical and psychological. We need Protection – God Saves!
3. SAFE – COVER: “Cover under Feathers” – A mother bird protects. The feather is used here indicating that under it, we would be keeping warm and experiencing a soft and cushioning comfort, hidden and safe. While the babies are under the wings and feathers, the mother bird is watching without closing her eyes. Just imagine under God’s Cover – We are Safe!
4. SAFE – REFUGE: As a child I loved playing with chicks, but the mother hen was always very protective and possessive. At any sign of danger, the mother hen would make a call and all the chicks would run to take refuge under her wings. Our Grandfather used to tell us that when the chicks are under the wings of the mother hen, don’t even try to touch them, you cannot take them away. Cats and dogs too were scared when the mother hen was around. The mother hen would protect her chicks from the attacks of crows and falcons – the predators. This is an Amazing explanation of how God saves His children. He is possessive and protective about us – We are Safe.
5. SAFE – SHIELD AND RAMPART: Last point to dwell on this. Enemies may attack from very far, or build a wall to isolate us. In today’s context – Cyber arrest, hacking of phone or computer, hacking bank accounts, biological weapons, and you name it. What an assurance to have from God that He stands as a shield and will make a way out for us by building a rampart, a defensive wall. God is speaking to you and me, if we make Him our dwelling place – He will Protect us – We are safe!
Let’s sing the song King David sang:
“David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent people you save me. “I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies.”
2 Samuel 22:1-4 NIV
Amen 🙏