911: The Prayer for Protection

~~~ Genesis 28:10-22a ~~~ Psalm 91 ~~~ Matthew 9:18-26 ~~~

 

In you, my God, I place my trust.

 

Psalm 91 has a message for each one of us...

personal, parents, military, firefighters, police officers.

When we are faced with danger this psalm is prayed most often.

 

The Lord is the only one who can offer protection in all circumstances.

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty...

 

If you are in the shadow of the Almighty you are near to him.

A shadow is near to that which is blocking the light.

Even though one appears to be in darkness God remains near.

 

If we cannot see the light of the Lord, then standing in his shadow

 is to be close to him.

 

Psalm 91 is a prayer of protection that has been prayed

by many throughout the ages.

It is prayed in times of danger. It is prayed when we are tempted to despair.

It is often called the 'soldier's prayer'.

 

Until today I never connected our emergency call number

 of 911 to this psalm of protection.

Could this, psalm 91:1, have been on the minds and hearts of those

who chose our emergency number?

I do not know, but today I see the connection.

 

In times of temptation we should recall this psalm to give us the necessary strength

to resist...to be strong

Under his wings you are covered from danger; you are protected.

God draws us closer to be near to him...to trust in his protection...

to trust when we are presented with hopeless situations.

 

 

We may not know for certain who composed this psalm,

some believe Moses,

but we can be sure it was inspired by God.

 

God wants us to rely on him for all things in our life.

We see strong evidence of this in the gospel reading today from Matthew.

The suffering woman and the official who's daughter had died

 relied on Jesus for healing and protection.

The woman had spent much of her life seeking a cure

only to face more disappointment.

Each time she was able to grasp on to hope

 it was quickly dashed as the hemorrhaging continued.

 

The official knew of his daughter's death, but he still approached Jesus for help.

He had extreme faith and trust in the healing power of Jesus.

 

Because he clings to me, I will deliver him....

...I will be with him in distress.

 

Comfort is available for those who believe the Lord is with them.

In times of great danger and distress

 the presence of God does bring comfort and peace.

 

In those times when death seems evident

the words of this psalm gives one

strength in knowing that God is with them.

The God who saves...the God who raises up the lowly.

The God of psalm 91

 is the God of divine protection.

 

I invite you to pray for those who have lost their lives

 in combat and as first responders.

The God of psalm 91 grant them shelter in the shadow of your wings.

Dear Lord, give the surviving family members your peace.

 

The blessings today come in trusting in God.

 

In you, my God, I place my trust.