“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.’ For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. ‘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.’ ” (v1-4,11-16)
This Psalm is all about abiding in God and receiving God’s protection. There are several analogies used for God’s protection – He is a refuge, a fortress, a bird who protects their young, a shield, a buckler (type of shield). There are also roles named for God that go with those analogies such as deliverer, protector, guardian, rescuer, savior.
First, a side note, this Psalm (and a few other passages) is where we read about “guardian angels”: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” (v11) A few other passages include: Heb 1:14, Dan 9:21, Dan 10:13, Mat 18:10, Ac 12:1-18, Gen 19:1-22. An interesting topic for another day.
The psalmist is not named this time, though it’s safe to guess that they have encountered a great deal of strife and suffering in their life. Despite all they have experienced, they are praising God for being their protector and deliverer in those difficult circumstances (snares, pestilence [disease], and physical danger/harm are named).
I realize this Psalm makes it sound like God will rescue you us “from” any circumstance in which we find ourselves – unfortunately that’s not necessarily true. What it’s implying is that God will rescue us “in” and “through” those circumstances. That subtle difference of “from” vs “in”/”through” is critical. God allows us to experience great difficulties in life (for a number of reasons we can’t explore in detail right now). When we experience those many dangers, toils, snares, sufferings and agonies, God will rescue us “in” and “through” those circumstances.
What the author and I mean is, in the grand scheme of God’s greater picture, these difficulties will only have a mild, temporary affect on us – they will not wound us into eternity, even if they cause a lifetime of suffering. We will be delivered from eternal consequences if we are rooted in God. Unfortunately, for those who are not founded in God and Jesus, they will eventually experience eternal separation from God regardless of how they persevered through life’s circumstances. These trials in life, though temporary, can make or break our eternity if we allow them to separate us from God. That’s where God’s protection and salvation play the largest role – yes He can deliver us “from” circumstances (which He sometimes does), though it’s more important that He deliver us “in” and “through” the circumstances so we are secure in eternity.
I think this passage reflects what I’m attempting to say: “For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” (1 Pt 2:20-21) Peter’s saying that if you endure suffering, even when you do good (ie. obey God), you are following in the footsteps of Jesus who suffered far more than we could imagine. God did not deliver Jesus “from” dying on the cross, God delivered us “in” and “through” Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Father God, we come before You today as a people of sadness and suffering. It’s easy to feel sorry for ourselves and wallow in self-pity, however, that’s isn’t Your desire. Similar to the the psalmist, we are to be content and praise You in all circumstances, rising above the situation and realizing that Jesus too persevered through the worst the world could offer (the wight of our sin). Father we thank You for being our deliverer, protector, guardian, rescuer, and savior, who walks with us “in” and “through” life’s trials. Thank you for the gift of salvation through Jesus, and that You will never leaves us nor forsake us. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training