Psalm 91:14-16
14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Where does God promise to be when we are in trouble?
Why should we pray to God to rescue us from trouble with great confidence?
Reflect
From Pastor Paul Carter, “Does Psalm 91 Belong to Me?” Gospel Coalition Canada, October 27, 2017.
There is a change of voice at the end of this Psalm as God speaks to guarantee what David has claimed as his own and offered to faithful others.
God pledges all of these blessings to the ones who hold fast to him in love and who ‘know his name.’ To know God’s name is ultimately to know who he is and how he has acted in Christ to secure our salvation. It is to know God as he has clothed himself in the Gospel. Such are those who call on the Lord, looking to him for their salvation. Speaking of this intimate connection between supplicant and Savior, (in his Psalms commentary) Kidner says: “At bottom, the bond is between helper and helpless, a matter of grace”.
I can pray Psalm 91 with confidence, claiming all of its promised benefits and protections because God in his grace has chosen me. From before the foundation of the world he chose me in Christ to be his son and to share in his glory forever. His strength allows me to hold fast to him in love. His Spirit in my heart cries ‘Abba Father’ and teaches me to know my Savior and to hear and understand his Word. He helps me pray and he testifies to my spirit concerning my salvation. At bottom – no, from top to bottom – this is a matter of grace.
Thanks be to God!
To read Paul’s full devotional go to: https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/columns/ad-fontes/psalm-91-belong/
Respond
How have you been encouraged this week by Psalm 91? How will it shape your view of prayer going forward?
Spend some extended time in prayer today. Pray for whatever is heavy on your heart and know that your Father hears you.