Psalm 91- Chapter 8: I Will Not Be Afraid of the Pestilence

Psalm 91: God's Umbrella of Protection

Chapter 8: I Will Not Be Afraid of the Pestilence

You will not be afraid...Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness. 
Psalm 91:5-6a

Webster's Dictionary defines Pestilence as a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating;"  I think all of us deal with some form of pestilence in our life--if not in our own body, in that of a loved one.

In today's world there are so many different forms of pestilence... Cancer, Heart disease, Flu viruses, HIV/AIDS, the list could go on and on...when we think about dealing with these horrible illnesses and the effects they have on so many lives it is easy to start worrying about the what if's.  But God, knowing that all of these diseases and illnesses would be rampant, gave us a promise, that we will all benefit from it, if we just have the faith to believe it.  God wants to take care of us, and God wants to work in our lives and the lives of those around us.  This promise is for you and every believer.  God does not want you to fear the disease, He wants you to trust Him and then He will take care of the situation, making the best of it for everyone involved.  

I have some dear friends whose 2 year old little boy was diagnosed with Leukemia this last summer.  Now, it would have been very easy for them to get angry at God for allowing this thing to happen...but I am happy to say they chose to put their faith in Jesus. And God in His great love and mercy has made every treatment and every situation work out better than the doctors expected. It took less than 30 days of treatment for the doctors to declare Lincoln cancer free, and even though the road is long and the treatments aren't over yet...God has had His hand on their lives and has brought about great miracles- because of their faith and trust in Him.  

What ever your situation, whatever the diagnosis is...Trust God!

Psalm 91- Chapter 7: I Will Not Fear The Arrow

Psalm 91: God's Umbrella Of Protection

Chapter 7: I Will Not Fear The Arrow

You will not be afraid of...the arrow that flies by day.

Psalm 91:5

For the last couple of weeks I have read over and over again about the Whole Armor of God.  In my daily Bible reading, in a book I'm reading, on another blog, and now here in this chapter.  Time and again I am reminded that all of us are in a constant battle...Those flaming arrows are not something that might happen...they are guaranteed! Satan will not let you just stand by, no one is exempt from his constant devices, traps, arrows and schemes.  But we can take comfort in the fact that just as being in this battle is not an option, victory in this battle is guaranteed as well. Satan's schemes and arrows are no match for the powerful promises of God, and the Whole Armor of God - the thing is we have to choose to believe and accept those promises and we have to choose to put on that Armor!  


When I was in High School, my Youth Pastor  and his wife advised us to physically put on the Armor of God each day...read Ephesians 6:10- 18 and as each piece of armor is mentioned and described go through the actions of actually putting on a belt, a breastplate, shoes, a helmet, hold up your shield, and your sword...going through the motions may seem silly, but something about doing this makes your faith grow as the invisible spiritual armor  is connected to a real physical action. 


God is so good.  I know I say that a lot, but sometimes we forget, and we start trying to do things on our  own...but if we really knew the goodness of God we would trust Him in everything and never feel the need to try things on our own...so repeat it out loud, over and over again...until you believe it with all of your heart, your soul and mind...GOD IS SO GOOD!!!

Psalm 91- Capter 6: I Will Not Fear The Terror

Psalm 91: God's Umbrella of Protection

Chapter 6: I Will Not Fear The Terror

"You will not be afraid of the terror by night..."

Psalm 91:5a

Here are a few quotes from this chapter to highlight the things that stood out to me from this chapter.

1. "Long before man discovered biological weapons, God made provision for the protection of His people - if they believe His Word." - Wow, this just shows how great God is, He knew we would one day face these horrible biological wars, and He made provision for us, so we can have protection from them, way back thousands of years before the threat even existed. That just makes me want to jump with excitement!!
2. "No evil has been conceived by man against which God has not provided a promise of protection for any of His children who will choose to believe it and act on it." - Once again, GOD IS SO GOOD!!!
3. "We have to choose to believe God's Word more than we believe what we see." - This one is something we all need to really get...whether or not we receive God's protection is a choice we make...Are we willing to believe and have faith??
4. "Over and over Jesus tells us, 'Do not fear!'  Why do you think He continually reminds us not to be afraid?  Because it is through faith in His Word that we are protected-and since fear is the opposite of faith, the Lord knows fear will keep us from operating in the faith that is necessary to receive." - God knows how fearful we tend to be...just like sheep we get scared and run so easily! But God our great Shepherd, knows His sheep, and that is why He tells us and warns us not to fear!
5. "The Protection is already there. It has already been provided, whether we receive it or not." - Once again, receiving God's protection is a choice!! 

Today, I encourage you to look at your life and see the areas where you are fearful, or have anxiety.  Those are the areas that Jesus is calling to you to trust Him, and put your faith in Him; He will provide and protect you.  My prayer today is that we would choose faith over fear, choose God's protection over trying to do it on our own.  The best way to start building your faith is to get to know the God you are trying to trust.  It is terribly hard to trust someone whom you really don't know.  Get a bible sit down and read it, asking God to show you who He is.  Trust me!  You will be blown away with what He shows you! 

Psalm 91- Chapter 5: A Mighty Fortress Is My God

Psalm 91: God's Umbrella of Protection

Chapter 5: A Mighty Fortress Is My God

"His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark." Psalm 91:4b

When we make mistakes it is easy for us to assume that we in the process of making those mistakes also lost God's protection.  And there are times when we do choose to walk out from behind God's shield...but this verse promises us that it is not our faithfulness or goodness that shields us, but God's faithfulness!  Do you get that?  God is a shield and and tower of defense for us not because of what we do, but because of who and how He is.  He is always there to defend us and be a shield to us, it is up to us to decide to run back behind the shield God provides, or to continue to stand on our own with no protection at all.  Peggy Joyce points out in this chapter that this verse gives us a double protection...and I just love it! Not only does it promise that God (because of His great faithfulness, not ours) will protect us and cover us like a shield, but it also says that God is a bulwark!  "A bulwark is a tower built along the city wall from which defenders can shoot arrows, and hurl large stones at the enemy." - Nelson's Bible Dictionary.  So God is the strong tower that looks out, to warn of coming offenders and attacks, and also fights the fight for us as, while we gather in the protection found behind His shield!  God is so good!!

Psalm 91 - Chapter 4: Under His Wings

Psalm 91: God's Umbrella of Protection

Chapter 4: Under His Wings

He will cover you with His pinions, 

And under His wings, you may seek refuge.

Psalm 91:4a

Have you ever had one of those days when you just feel like you need a hug?  A day full of stress, pain, fear, or loss...a day when no matter what you do, you feel like the only thing that is going to help is to have someone special, someone who really cares, give you a long hug and protect you with their warm arms.  

That is what God is offering here, in this verse His sheltering arms and caring embrace are compared to the feathers and wings of a mother hen.  

Peggy Joyce Ruth tells a story in this chapter about a mother hen and her baby chicks, who were all scattered across the yard, when a large hawk flew over, threatening the chicks.  The hen didn't run and try to gather all of the chicks to her...no she just hunkered down and raised her wings, all the while clucking to the chicks telling them to come.  Then the chicks all ran to the hen and she covered them safely and securely under her wings...the hawk would have to go through her to get to her chicks. 

I love the picture this makes...I can just see God with His loving arms spread out calling, "Daughter, daughter, come! I'll protect you from all of Satan's schemes and evil plots. Come to Me daughter, for I love you and will be your shelter from the storm!" 

God has His arms raised, He is calling, now will you choose to run to Him for shelter and protection, or try to do it on your own?

Psalm 91 - Chapter 3:Two-Way Deliverance

Psalm 91: God's Umbrella of Protection

Chapter 3: Two-Way Deliverance


For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper

And from the deadly pestilence.

Psalm 91:3

God in His infinite wisdom and knowledge has given us this earth to live on...and everything here is under His control.  We need to learn to trust God.  God knows the things that will harm us and He also knows what is good for us.  Satan may be out to destroy us, but God has much better plans for us, and if God is for us, who can stand against us? No one and nothing.  No trap set by the devil, nor pestilence (sickness or disease that destroys the flesh), nothing can stand against our great and mighty God.  He is our shield and defender, we need to run to Him and trust Him...He is all we need.

This morning in my devotional time I read about Daniel.  Here is a man who walked obediently with God and had God's favor on his life.  When the governors, and satraps tried to get rid of Daniel, and caused him to be thrown into the lions den.  Did Daniel worry? Was he afraid?  I'm sure he was tempted to worry and fear, but I also realize that Daniel knew those men would see him praying in the window.  Daniel also knew the law of the Meades and Persians could not be changed once signed by the king.  So I think he trusted God to protect him even as he knelt down to pray three times a day.  Daniel's story is a perfect example of Psalm 91:3 in action.  God saw Daniels faithfulness and obedience and God saw His servant in trouble and so God did something only God could do...He shut those lions mouths and Daniel did not even have a scratch on him when the king pulled him from the den the next morning.  Imagine that, not only did God close the lions mouths, but he tamed their paws as well.  

I just have to say it (I encourage you to proclaim it with me)...That is my God! He is my King! And today I chose to trust Him with everything in my life...Satan may set traps, sickness and illness may come, but my God will supply my every need - He is my all in all!