Psalm 91:9–16 (ESV)
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.”
Devotional Reflection
Psalm 91 is the second Psalm in Book 4 (Ps. 90-106). Books 1-2 (1-72) center around the life of David, Israel's model king. Book 3 (73-89) is primarily focused on the failure of Israel's kings to guide the nation in faithfulness. Book 4 opens with Psalm 90--a Psalm of Moses--the leader who intercedes for the nation in light of its failure to fear, love, and trust in God above all things. And that brings us to Psalm 91--a Psalm which extols a future David--one who will lead the nation in the path of faithfulness because he himself will be faithful. Because of his faithfulness to God, this future king will have God's full approval and protection. Also, because of his faithfulness, God will make this king victorious over his enemies and all who would attempt to make him stumble. Finally, because of his faithfulness, God will honor him with long life--his rule will go on and on.
No wonder the devil quotes from this Psalm when he tempts Jesus. The devil takes Jesus up to the pinnacle of the Temple and says, "Throw yourself down for it is written, "He will command his angels concerning you...on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone." The devil is attempting to lure Jesus into understanding his rightful identity as the new David in only one-dimension. The devil is trying to get Jesus to seize upon the benefits of being king (divine protection) without saying anything about the cost (complete faithfulness). Jesus' faithfulness came at a personal cost--the cross. The cross was the ultimate test of the promises made in this Psalm. How could a crucified king ever hope to enjoy the long life and unending reign spoken about in this Psalm? Yet, Jesus' faith never waivers. He dies commending his Spirit into his Father's hands. And three days later, those promises are all fulfilled.
What about us? We certainly experience the cost of faithfulness. Following Jesus comes with a cross. The devil still tempts us like he tempted Jesus. He tempts us with a half-true version of the truth--"Didn't God promise this? Didn't God promise that?" Yet, he leaves out the cost. His goal is to get us to lay down our cross. His goal is to make God look like either a liar or a genie--to make us think that God is unfaithful or undemanding of our faithfulness. But neither of those is true. A half-truth is still a lie. And so we must hear God's promises in light of the cross we carry--in spite of the cross we carry. We must look, not at our cross, but unto Jesus--the author and finisher of our faith. Who, for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. Jesus is the Faithful King who believed God would deliver on his promises. By faith, we too press into those promises which cannot fail.
Image Description (AI Prompt)
An abstract painting depicting a solitary figure walking down a deserted, narrow road under a dark, cloudy sky, carrying only a large wooden cross on their back. The abstract style emphasizes bold colors and exaggerated forms, with a focus on emotional expression over realism. The road and the surrounding barren landscape are represented with sweeping, dramatic brushstrokes, and the sky is a swirl of dark hues. The figure and the cross are simplified, yet prominent, conveying a powerful sense of journey, burden, and solitude in an abstract, artistic manner.