Ps 91:4b and under His wings you may seek refuge;
Ps 91:4b and under his wings shalt thou trust (KJV)
Look closely at the verbiage used in the phrases above. There is an action to be taken by us. You may seek refuge in the NASB and shalt thou trust in the KJV. Consider. God is ready, willing and able to protect us and shelter us if we seek His help.
The translation to trust and seek refuge seemed a bit different to me. I looked up the Hebrew word in the Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary. It’s <chacah> and the definition is ‘to flee for protection; to confide in: have hope, make refuge, put trust.
So both could be considered accurate and are related if thought about for a moment. In order to run to a person or place of refuge, you would first need to believe it would be provided. Hence, the trust required on our part to look to God as our protection. Isn’t that fun? I love it when you do the ‘homework’ and then it makes sense! Thank you Lord!
Ps 91:4c His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
God faithfulness in Psalm 91:4 is described as our shield and bulwark. We’re pretty familiar with the idea of a shield. This word in fact describes a very large shield. Go back to the gentle picture of a bird’s wingspread fully covering and protecting her young ones. There is absolutely no way they are even exposed to danger unless she moves.
Now, we have to ask the question, ‘What exactly is a bulwark’? This is not a word we use every day. It is described in Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary as something that surrounds a person. Buckler is another word used for shield or bulwark. WordWeb gives us the definition of armor carried on the arm to intercept blows when explaining a buckler. A bulwark however, seems to be more of a fort type structure. “An embankment built around a space for defensive purposes” according to WordWeb.
Will our faith be challenged? I think the answer is clearly, yes! Or there would be no necessity for refuge. Can we count on God’s protection? Absolutely, if we desire it.
As I was studying these words and writing down my thoughts, what came to mind was the many, many times God chose to protect me before I even knew I was His. This is somewhat mind boggling to me considering my very casual understanding of God back then. I believed He existed, and even believed He created me. But, other than sometimes trying to do the ‘right’ thing with my motivation usually being that I didn’t want to get into trouble, or at least not caught, my thoughts of God were typical of most people. He was ‘the man upstairs’ who somehow controlled things. I can tell you emphatically that I did not live my life for Him. Other than going to church on Sunday and participating in the things that I was told were necessary, I didn’t even give God a thought. At best, my relationship with God could be described as one of fear. Other than that, it was about me.
But, even with my selfish and misguided mindset, He still protected me. There were so many times I can now think back on and see His hand in guiding my life and keeping me from danger or worse. Like the time I went driving around at night with my older brother with brass knuckles hidden under the seat of the car ready to pick a fight. (What were we thinking??!!) Or the unfortunate time I was driving on a winding mountain road not paying close attention and did a complete 360 degree turn with inches to spare from careening off the road. Perhaps some of you remember the Sylmar earthquake, to others it’s just a piece of history. But I remember it in detail, even though I was fairly young, because I lived close to the epicenter. The shelves in my bedroom, anchored with toggle bolts, broke from the wall and went flying across the room. My bed rolled against the closed door. A wall in our family’s home in the kitchen broke from the foundation and moved several inches away from the house. It was scary. Hundreds died. A hospital collapsed in on itself killing patients. Fires, destruction, people sleeping outside from fear. But, God kept me safe, under His wings. And there are so many more times … I didn’t deserve His protection then and I still don’t but there is incredible peace in knowing I can trust in God as my heavenly Father and secure shelter. Now, joy completely fills my heart in living my life for Him! And I can do it without looking over my shoulder hoping I won’t find myself in some sort of danger that I’ve foolishly created.
God is amazing! God will cover you in His perfect protection. God is your refuge.
God is 100% faithful in His care of His children.
Because He loves us.
Ps 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of Thy wings,
Ps 57:1 (For the choir director; [set to] Al-tashheth. A Mikhtam of David, when he fled) (from Saul, in the cave.) Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge in Thee; and in the shadow of Thy wings I will take refuge, until destruction passes by.
Ps 61:4 Let me dwell in Thy tent forever; let me take refuge in the shelter of Thy wings. Selah.
Selah. A suspension of music, a pause. Good place to stop, think about these truths, drink it in and be amazed at the One who created you and loves you so perfectly.
Ps 27:4 One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to meditate in His temple.
Ps 36:7 How precious is Thy lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings.
Consider. Can you say, I will put myself in God’s protection? I will trust in His care? David, our Psalmist, had been driven away from God’s holy tabernacle, the earthly place where refuge was to be found. But, with certainty, he knew that that there was protection in something other than a sanctuary built by human hands. God was his protection and shelter forever.
Forever: always, constantly, eternally. What a beautiful word – forever. Are you comforted by God’s truths? Do you rest in His protection? Do you look forward to forever in His presence?
