Earlier this month, The Washington Post reported,
Infectious-disease experts are warning of a potential cold-weather surge of coronavirus cases — a long-feared “second wave” of infections and deaths, possibly at a catastrophic scale.
In the face of such a dire forecast, we can draw comfort from Scripture.
This morning I read Psalm 91, which emphasizes the safety and happiness that comes from knowing God and trusting him. The psalm begins with a powerful declaration (v. 1), followed by a personal prayer (v. 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.”
When calamity comes, people run for cover toward whatever place they think will provide protection. But here in Psalm 91 we learn that the only safe and invincible fortress is God himself. The psalmist appropriates this truth personally by going to God in prayer, after which he immediately reassures the reader, saying, “he will deliver you.” The “you” is singular, indicating the care that God shows individually for every person who trusts in him!
In verse 3-6 he describes the manner in which God protects us from the many dangers that threaten us. In verses 7-8 he says, “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.” John Calvin notes that “God, as the righteous judge of the world, cannot but punish the wicked according to their sins, and extend protection to his own children.”
God’s protection over every single one of his people is reiterated with a bold statement in verses 9-10. Keep in mind that each “you” is singular, applying to you personally as God’s child:
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.
Does this mean that no Christian can contract the coronavirus … or cancer … or some other deadly disease? No, of course not. Such a statement must be interpreted in the light of Scripture as a whole. The truth is that when trouble comes our way, there is ultimately no real evil in it, because in the end it cannot destroy us. On the contrary, God causes all things — including the very worst things — to work together for our good (Rom. 8:28).
How does God make this happen? (This for me was the most eye-opening part of the psalm.)
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (Ps. 91:11).
The “you” is still singular, whereas “angels” is plural. Feel the weight of what God is saying here! John Calvin captures the point perfectly:
[God] does not assign one solitary angel to each saint, but commissions the whole armies of heaven to keep watch over every individual believer.
Maybe you should read that again!
“Are [angels] not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14)
Calvin goes on to say,
It were something, no doubt to know that even one angel was set over us with this commission, but it adds weight to the promise when we are informed that the charge of our safety is committed to a numerous host, as Elisha was enabled, by a like consideration, to despise [regard as unworthy of concern] the great army of adversaries arrayed against him (2 Kings 6:16).
Interestingly, the devil tried to use Psalm 91:10-11 to tempt Jesus to jump off the highest point of the temple (Luke 4:9), but “Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, '“You shall not put the Lord your God to the test”’” (Luke 4:10).
This is another observation that I find fascinating. When the devil quoted Psalm 91:10, he left out the phrase “in all your ways.” Not only does this phrase reassure us that wherever we go, God’s angels will guard us, but this phrase also reminds us that we bear a personal responsibility in the matter. God’s promise is never intended to incur recklessness on our part, but responsible Christian living. In other words, we should not expect the angels to bail us out of the consequences of our bad decisions!
Wisdom keeps us from being careless. Faith keeps us from being captive.
Psalm 91 ends with a direct statement by God regarding his protection of each person who belongs to him:
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. (Ps. 91:14-16)
God doesn’t promise that life will be easy and that no troubles will come our way. But he does promise us divine protection and deliverance. As Calvin so eloquently put it,
The salvation of God extends far beyond the narrow boundary of earthly existence; and it is to this, whether we live or come to die, that we should principally look. It is with such a view that the Psalmist, after stating all the other benefits which God bestows, adds this as a final clause, that when he has followed them with his fatherly goodness throughout their lives, he at last shows them his salvation.
Amen, and amen!