A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
(Psalm 91:7-8)
These verses in Psalm 91 were never comforting to me. Years ago, there were many movies about some nuclear war or natural catastrophe that had destroyed everything, and only one person, or a few people here and there survived and were left to rebuild the world. That situation was terrifying to me and I was sure I’d rather be one of those who didn’t survive! I’m confident now that these verses aren’t talking about that kind of scenario.
Psalm 91 is full of promises to those who believe and trust. Let’s look further into His promises.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
Imagine being in a firefight. One soldier after another is being picked off by the enemy. But you keep fighting. Another one down. And then another, but you are still standing.
Or another setting. Trouble is going around. Maybe it’s a sickness. It is hitting one household, then another. It is “going around.” Is it inevitable that your turn is coming soon?
We have a Heavenly Father who can – and does – see us individually. He is able, and willing, to treat us as individuals. That’s how He sees us and knows us. We aren’t just a number, nor are we lost in the crowd. His faithfulness doesn’t depend on what’s happening to those around you. He sees your heart. He’s your daddy, and IF you’ve chosen to abide under the shelter of His wings, and IF you’ve decided that He is your refuge and your fortress, and you trust in Him, He will keep you standing – no matter what happens around you. It doesn’t mean you won’t battle, but, when the smoke clears, you will be still standing. His faithfulness doesn’t depend on us, but He responds to faith.
My motto:
Just because something is going around
doesn’t mean it has to land at my house!
And this has held true for me through covid, head lice in school when the kids were younger, and the flu. It doesn’t have to stop at my house!
What we say is extremely important, because it is an indicator of what we really believe.
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45 NKJV)
My Heavenly Father, your Heavenly Father, knows His kids individually. Each one of us is unique. That’s how we were fashioned in our mother’s womb. We come to Him individually. Like a pastor once pointed out to me, “God doesn’t make two snowflakes alike. Why should two churches be alike?” Or two people? But our Heavenly Father sees and knows our uniqueness – and planned it that way. Hallelujah!
When praying about these verses, Holy Spirit brought another passage to mind.
Now this I know:
The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.
Lord, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call! (Psalm 20:6-9)
That brings us to verse 8.
You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
Is everyone who isn’t left standing wicked? Here’s another question. Is the Lord only faithful to some?
Faithfulness, like all of God’s, attributes, isn’t just something He does. One of the Hebrew names of God is El Hanne’eman, The Faithful God. Faithfulness is His very nature. He cannot NOT be faithful, just like He cannot NOT be almighty, or loving, and so on.
So, why, in Psalm 91:8, are so many falling all around? I don’t have all the answers, but I know God is faithful ALWAYS. Maybe they are trusting in chariots and horses instead of the Name of the Lord our God?
Here’s my takeaway from these verses.
When I am called to battle, there are several things I want to check.
Here’s my takeaway from these verses.
When I am called to battle, there are several things I want to check.
• First, am I called to this battle?
• Second, have I put on the armor of God?
• Third, am I fighting the right enemy?
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)
• Fourth, am I battling beside those who also trust in the Lord, who are not just trusting in horses and chariots – human weapons and strategies?
Not only do I want victory, but God isn’t a loser…. and I don’t want to be the last man/woman standing!
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