Psalms 91:1-6; 14-16
1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; 4 he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, 6 or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday. 14 Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.15 When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. 16 With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.
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There are a lot of things that stalk us “in the darkness” (Ps. 91:6, BCP), things that unnerve us or disturb our peace. But what makes our faith so hopeful is the fact that God invites us to share all of that with God. God is not some abstract and nebulous idea, but a reality that humanity is bound to in love (Ps. 91:14). God hears us in our times of struggle. God participates in our lives. God does not detach. God is our refuge, our eternal, immovable refuge, that comforts and softly embraces us as a hen embraces her chicks (Mt. 23:37 and Lk. 13:34). How fortunate we are to have such a devoted friend who walks with us in every step of our lives!
- When have you been most vulnerable before God?
- How has God comforted you?
This Bible study, written by the Rev. Daniel Johnson, OPA
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The 16th Sunday after Pentecost