THURSDAY 11th
Psalm 91
NIV (vv1-2) – ‘Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”’
ESV (vv1-2) – ‘He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”’
The psalm before us today is one of the most familiar in the book of psalms, even now I can remember this being read by a certain very elderly lady in the Church in Hereford when I was just a young child, she would have been one of many in the local community at that time who had gone through two world wars and who would have used this psalm possibly many times as they sought the Lord’s protection during both wars.
Today is the day in which we remember those who served in both world wars and other conflicts since, and we thank God for all who have given so much so that we have been able to live in freedom from those who would otherwise have ruled with a rod of iron. Let us not take this freedom for granted but continue to pray for those in authority that they will govern wisely and righteously. While we remember those who fought and gave their lives, pray also for those who are not so fortunate as ourselves and are living under cruel regimes that seek to repress them and especially our Christian brothers and sisters who cannot safely live out their faith in the public square. Let us also give thanks from grateful hearts for the One who came to fight the greatest battle of all and who conquered victoriously over the devil, and over sin and over death. He is Jesus, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords. We are constantly reminded that so long as time continues as it is there will continue to be trouble, strife and conflict, but the day is coming when King Jesus will reign, he will subdue all his enemies, and once the final and greatest battles upon the earth has been fought, he will reign forever and ever and all that have opposed him will be dealt with, with a sure finality as they are cast into the lake of fire, the place reserved for the devil and his angels.
Read through this palm today, meditate upon it and I will return to it tomorrow.