the refuge you need
Updated: Aug 7
Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV)
91 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Health, protection, peace, comfort...we all want those things to be a part of our lives. In Scripture those things are promised with the presence of the Lord. The blessings of the Lord are found in His shelter, and if you find your life is full of chaos and fear, your Heavenly Father is the refuge you need!
In our Psalm for today there are three different titles used for God's Name to convey His wonderful power.
Elyon - Most High
El Shaddai - The Almighty
Elohim - Supreme God
Psalm 91 describes the pinnacle of rewards that are offered to the believer who walks closely to the Lord. It's fascinating that even Satan himself quotes a section of Psalm 91 to Jesus when he is tempting the Lord in the wilderness.
Psalm 91:11-12 (ESV)
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, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
Satan tried to manipulate the text to deceive Jesus into doing something irresponsibile and to walk outside of the will of His Father. But Jesus repeatedly emphasized in the Gospels that He only came to do the will of His Father.
Translation: The promises of God are found while walking in the will of God.
How do you walk in the will of God?
It requires daily time in the Word of God. Daily time in conversation and prayer with God, and daily submission to His will and ways. The more time you spend in the presence of God, the more you will recognize His voice in your life.
Even better, you'll recognize when it's not His voice tempting you to do something. Jesus recognized the voice of Satan and his tempting ways and He responded accordingly, "You shall not put the Lord God to the test."
When a newborn baby enters the world they are placed on the chest of their mother. The babies head is laid face down to hear the heartbeat of their mother, a comforting sound that became a symbol of safety, peace, and comfort as they developed in the womb. Even though the baby is now out of the womb, the sound of their mother's heartbeat reassures them of the presence of their mother. As long as they are with her, they have peace and know they will be okay.
Psalm 91 is the heartbeat of God. When we dwell in His presence He is our fortress and strength.
He is the only One in whom you can trust.
Yes, my friend. He is the refuge you need!
Josh Huisman is the senior pastor of Crosswalk Church in Brentwood, TN. If you would like to support this website and make it possible for this page to stay active and these devotions to reach a wider audience, CLICK HERE
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