Read: Psalm 91:1; 4; 9-16
“The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty . . . He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield . . . Because you have made the Lord-my refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no harm will come to you; no plague will come near your tent. For he will give His angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways. They will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. . . Because he is lovingly devoted to Me, I will deliver him; I will exalt him because he knows My name. when he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor. I will satisfy him with a long life and show him My salvation.”
Understand:
- Who lives under the protection of the Most High?
- What will God’s faithfulness be like?
- God will deliver us because we are what?
- What happens when we call out to God for help?
- What do we receive from God?
Listen: When I was growing up, for years, I attended a little country church. It was called White Oak Baptist Church. It was a one-room church that, if I remember correctly, had been used when my grandparents were little as a one-room schoolhouse as well. It sat in the middle of a field with a gravel drive that led to it on one side and a little covered pavilion on the other side – that was used for homecomings that were held at the church or whenever the congregation wanted to have people bring food so we could sit around and talk. The pastor was, well, to be honest, horrifying! If you’ve never heard a hellfire and brimstone preacher before, I’m so sorry. They really do put the fear of God in you. Some people question this kind of preaching but, it sure got through to me so I’m not going to bash it. God knows what His people need and obviously I needed that pastor yelling and slamming his hand against the podium to get my attention.
One thing I also remember though was the singing of the people in the church. We had a piano and an organ but, for the most part, you could hear people’s voices above those instruments lifting up praise to our Lord. Not everyone had a great voice either – including me; but, there was never a fear of being heard or embarrassment if you were heard. It was just beautiful. I remember standing by my mother, who was one of those who should have been heard. Her voice was just as beautiful as she was, even though she, along with the rest of the women in the church, were squeezed into uncomfortable panty hose- a requirement to enter the church, I believe. There was a song that I loved to hear my mom sing, I mean aside from Barbara Mandrell or Patsy Cline. It was called “Great is They Faithfulness.” I have no proof, but I just have to wonder if the lyrics to this song were not taken from our Bible verses today. God is so good and protects His people as they walk through this life. It doesn’t matter if it is good times or bad times, He is with us and we can rest in knowing that He will deliver us because He loves us so much. The lyrics to this song are written below. Take a minute to read through them. I pray you come to understand how faithful God is to His children and that you find comfort in these words as much as I did in that little one-room church or even now as a grown woman.
Great is Thy faithfulness, ” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness, ” Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness, ” Lord, unto me!
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness, ” Lord, unto me!
Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, help us understand how faithful You really are to Your children. In every aspect of life, whether good or bad, You are there for us and faithful to helping us get through everything. Thank you for Your love and Your protection. Thank you for Your faithfulness. In Jesus name we pray, amen.
Majacka Literary Creations 