Sunday, July 31, 2005

Today Our Daily Bread Psalm 91 (Message Translation

Psalms 91: 1 - 16
1 You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow, 2 Say this: "God, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!" 3 That's right - he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. 4 His huge outstretched arms protect you - under them you're perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. 5 Fear nothing - not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, 6 Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon. 7 Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you. 8 You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses.
9 Yes, because God's your refuge, the High God your very own home, 10 Evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door. 11 He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go. 12 If you stumble, they'll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling. 13 You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path. 14 "If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. 15 Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party. 16 I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!"
The Message

~Lena's Journalin'~
Why would you not fear what IS going on around you, and what seems to be the reality of things? Because your reality IS God’s Presence, all else is what is happening, but is it a part of what IS real? Yes and No, God’s presence is the realest thing there is. Sitting down in and spending the night with denotes that I live with, have a relationship with a commitment with someone. Saying "I trust You", is covenental vow type talk. This writer has entered covenant with the King of kings and Lord of lords, he’s been "Born Again" by the acceptance of dwelling with and housing God’s spirit. He’s telling us the benefits of that covenant commitment. This Psalm is about covering. It’s about what a person who is covered by covenant commitment, the continual presence of God and obedience to God’s plans and participation in His goals and what that person can insist upon and expect in that relationship. We don’t have to demand it, it is ours IF….If not, then the very things that were benefits of the covenant relationship are doors opened to God’s enemies. It’s all about who and what God’s enemies are and who or what are God’s friends. To say I am God’s friend is to say I participate with and in God’s presence. He does not have casual friends underneath His covering- think of covering as a robe on a man who is at rest in His own home. God does not have acquaintances come under His "robe". Likewise those who consider themselves acquaintances of God cannot expect to benefit as those of His household do. In fact they are on the outside of His "house" and therefore they may experience what happens outside of His house (i.e. disease, fear, traps, hazards, attacks, disasters, death…) It is our response-ability to make Him our refuge. It urkes me a bit when people blame God for the diseases, mishaps, calamity etc…, they say, "Where were You God when I needed You?" My question according to this Psalm would be, "Where were you?" Friend or acquaintance? Servant or son? Under or over? Covered in His presence or uncovered in your own life’s goals and plans? It is the original Genesis question- "Adam, where are you?"