“Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge.” Psalm 91:3-4 NKJV

 Refuge

 I woke up this morning after weird dreams because of the pandemic continuing on and on—first in fear, then I remembered God. He is my hope and the lover of my soul! Fear can sometimes grip us, especially if we allow our minds to wander to the “what ifs.” I know the pandemic is real, but God is bigger and if I get sick, I get sick (but I don’t want my family to get sick).

After a minor setback this morning, I opened my Bible and the Lord led me to read Psalm 91. This is one of my treasured psalms, but this morning it had a deeper reality. I can hide in Him, no matter what I’m feeling throughout my day.

In other versions, the words perilous pestilence are translated: destructive plague (Christian Standard Bible); deadly sickness (Common English); and deadly disease (Contemporary English Bible). He, the Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, can deliver me (and us) and protect our families. That hope is far stronger than the fear the enemy can use to distract and disable us.

This Psalm goes into great description of things that could happen but how the Lord holds us up. We could get sick, but the Lord carries us through and never leaves. What a wonderful hope and refuge we have in our Lord.

Reading further in the Psalm: “Because he (she) has set his (her) love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him (her) and set him (her) on high because he (she) has known My Name” (verse 14). It goes on to say how the Lord will answer prayer in our troubles and gives us honor. How wonderful is that! I certainly do not deserve His great kindness, but because of His overwhelming love and grace, I can live richly in His smile and protection.

I pray the Lord meets you exactly where you need Him today. Whether from illness, family disorders, or financial problems, never forget He is our refuge, our hiding place, our resort (or escape) in the middle of the storm, and ever present hope.

Dear Father, thank You for your deep, incredible love that meets us when we turn to You, exactly where we need. You are our refuge, constant sustenance, and peace in the middle of life’s worries and plagues. Praying for Your reality to sink deep within hearts today. In Jesus’ Name, amen.