here’s a difference between “believing in God” and “believing God.” You can believe in God yet still keep Him at a distance. But when you believe God--when you take Him at His Word and put what He says into practice in your life--you enter into a relationship with Him, a relationship that is up close and personal; a relationship where every step you take is wise and purposeful because you’re keeping in step with Him.

Number 5: God's Protection

By Eric Elder

There’s a difference between “believing in God” and “believing God.” You can believe in God yet still keep Him at a distance. But when you believe God--when you take Him at His Word and put what He says into practice in your life--you enter into a relationship with Him, a relationship that is up close and personal; a relationship where every step you take is wise and purposeful because you’re keeping in step with Him.

Psalm 91 describes one of the great benefits of this kind of close relationship with God: you enter into His divine protection. Here are some of the things God will do for you when you dwell “in the shelter of the Most High”:

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.’
For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His pinions,
and under His wings you will find refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you”
(Psalm 91:1-7).

Moses, who many Jewish scholars believe authored this Psalm, saw his share of trouble. He saw plagues of locusts and plagues of death, threats of famine and threats on his life. But Moses also saw God’s divine hand of deliverance.

When the angel of death passed through the streets of Egypt, thousands fell, but Moses and his people were saved. Not only did they believe in God but they also believed God. They did what He told them to do, putting the blood of a lamb on the doorframes of their homes so the angel of death would “pass over” and spare the lives of those inside (see Exodus 12).

Jesus is our passover lamb, and when you put your faith in Him--staying close to Him and holding on tight--then He’s able to take you under His protective wings. It’s hard for God to protect you, though, if you keep running back and forth to Him, coming to Him only after disaster strikes. He wants you to be in a close relationship with Him at all times, dwelling with Him, living with Him, taking up residence in His protective refuge. When you do, listen to a few more of the ways you’ll be blessed:

“Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place--
the Most High, who is my refuge--
no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
For He will command His angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows My Name.
When he calls to Me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;

I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him My salvation”
(Psalm 91:9-10, 14-16).

It’s good to believe in God, but it’s even better to believe God, drawing near to Him and dwelling in His shelter. How do you do that? By calling out to Him when you wake up each morning. By reading His Word and listening to His Spirit so you can hear back from Him. By holding on tight to Him throughout the day and taking care to do what He says, stepping where He says to step (and not stepping where He says not to step!). And when the day is done, be sure to say goodnight again, entrusting Him to hold you tight throughout the night.

God loves you and wants to protect you, shield you, and deliver you. Just be sure to stay under His wings.

Let’s pray...

Father, thank You for loving us and offering us Your strong hand of protection. Help us to come closer and closer to You so that we can see what Moses saw, and experience Your deliverance first-hand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

P.S. Psalm 91 has been turned into a well-known song by Michael Joncas called “On Eagle’s Wings.” It’s often sung in churches throughout the world, and is frequently heard at funerals because of its soothing tune and uplifting lyrics. Here’s a version set to music by Josh Groban on one of his early CD’s called “Christ the King Anniversary Co.” and accompanied by pictures and lyrics.
www.youtube.com/watch

Today’s Scripture: Psalm 91
www.biblegateway.com

Today’s Memory Verse: “Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows My Name” (Psalm 91:14, ESV).

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