Psalm 91:11-16 Angelic protection
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
The mighty and holy angels of God are commanded by him to post a special watch over those who under the shelter of Almighty God. It is their sacred duty to protect God’s people.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
These represent the various obstacles, difficulties, and dangers we encounter in life, even those that are life threatening. We also must be aware of the venom of our spiritual enemies , the fallen angels who operate in the heavenlies. God’s elect, holy and mighty angels are able to deal with such. Jesus has put all things that could harm us under our feet.
The Apostle Paul shook off the viper in Malta and was unharmed. When we know we are fully protected in our spirit, soul, and body we can confidently tread on those beings which seek to do us harm.
This gives us great confidence in our God.
Interim Prayer Lord we thank you for your holy and mighty angels that form a hedge of shelter around your people. Lord, give us your wisdom that we be not deceived into testing you just because we know of your marvelous protection around us. Lord, give us your wisdom to live in these difficult times and bring the light of the Gospel to those still in darkness. In Jesus’ name we ask it.
Amen
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.”
God reveals what he himself finds delightful in a man or woman.
v14 Speaks of such a person, who is devoted the Lord, God says because this person clings/cements to God in love then God will deliver such a person and protect them. This is what God delights to do for those who cling to him in love, those who come to recognise his holy name, his person, and his divine attributes. If we want to know the meaning of his holy name in this verse, then we must turn to the example of Jesus Christ, but remembering that because we are ‘in him’ and this verse also applies to us, to the believers dwelling in Gods shelter. This is a position of great honour.
v15 Whenever the person who is clinging to the Lord in love, calls out in distress, the Lord promises to answer him. Here we have the very privileged access to the Lord’s help and intervention on our behalf. He promises to be present with us in our various troubles, and if needed to rescue us from our dangers and difficulties. He not only rescues those under his shelter but brings them into a place of honour.
V16 God promises to give those who cling to him in love, a long enough life to fulfil all their destiny irrespective of the age they live too as was the case of Jesus who fulfilled all his destiny yet died at a comparatively young age.
God’s wonderful salvation extends beyond this life into the next.
Prayer Lord teach us how to cling you in our thoughts, in our hearts and in our wills, Lord, cement our hearts to your heart in love, and help us to come to know your holy name in fullness. Lord, we thank you that whenever we call out to you, we know that you will answer us, and rescue us from trouble and bring us into a place of honour. Lord help us fulfil all your destiny of this life and when it is time move us from salvation on earth to salvation in heaven. In Jesus’ name we ask it.
Amen