 November
19th
The following was
taken from the Today in the Word devotional.
Psalm 90 and 91
Corrie ten Boom's story of persevering faith
is a remarkable testimony of
God's protection. As you may know, the ten Boom family were
watchmakers in the Netherlands. When the Nazi's invaded their
country, the ten Boom family sheltered Jews in a secret room they
built in their house. Eventually the
family was arrested. the last night they were together,
Corrie's elderly father asked her brother to read Psalm 91. It
was the last time that Corrie saw her father, who died ten days
later. Eventually Corrie and her sister Betsy were sent to
Ravensbruck, where Betsy died. During this time, including
months
in solitary confinement, Corrie thought often about "being in the
shelter of
the Most High" Ps 91:1. She later wrote about her experiences in the
best selling book, The Hiding Place.
Psalm 90 is unique in that it is the only
Psalm attributed to Moses. So many circumstances in Moses'
life could have prompted him to write this Psalm,
but we're not given an inscription specifying a particular event.
After the opening praise, the psalm quickly moves to lament over the
harsh reality that human existence is like "dust". Even though
Methuselah lived for 969 years, that's still like a day from God's
perspective. and God's wrath is fully justified, given human
sin.
Moses' response to this sad truth was to pray
for the wisdom to know how to number one's days. by doing so,
human beings realize that they are limited, and that only God is
infinite. This realization leads to a prayer for God's
mercy.
Psalm 91 answers this prayer and uses powerful
images to show the many ways that God protects frail humans who seek
his shelter. They will be
spared from hunter's traps
and enemies'
arrows; plagues will not touch
them. Indeed, for those who make the Most High their
dwelling, even angels will guard their ways! Psalms 90 and 91
paint incredible pictures of God's protection using imagery from
ancient hunting and warfare. It's important to keep in mind,
however, that these psalms offer assurance that no ultimate harm can
come to those who fear the Lord. Believers may be killed in
wars
or die from diseases, but, because of the Lord's love, He will
rescue His children for the life to come and show them His
salvation.
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