Psalm 91&Other Passages
Calming Many Fears
Sometimes we fear things like pandemics or the bird flu. What will happen to our families? What about terrorists? Will my children be safe?
Balm for the Fearful Soul
Psalm 91 is balm for the fearful soul. We are God's family and He promises to take care of us:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety - he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease (Psalm 91:2-3, NLT).
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you (Ps. 91:5-7).
Forget the Past&Press On
…"but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us" (Philippians 3:13-14, NLT).
To expand upon this wonderful verse, we can't change the past. But, we can move ahead and do the best we can today. That's all we are given to work with and improve upon…the past and future are God's domain. But, what God gives us Today is ours.
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Helping the Poor
He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,
and He will reward him for what he has done.
(Proverbs 19:17)
Your adornment must not be merely external - braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses - but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God (1 Peter 3:3-4).
Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share…(1 Timothy 17-18).
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Being Thankful for What we Have
Psalm 50 says,
1. Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High, and call upon Me in the day of trouble. I shall rescue you, and you will honor me" (v. 14-15).
This is a wonderful promise that God will be there for us in our day of trouble. However, we need to live according to biblical principles, too. We need to get rid of all greed, envy, and false pride - and let's be thankful for what we have.
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We do not need to fear as banks implode, people lose jobs, and more homes go into foreclosure.
2. God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV).
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All of us need to find a plan to get out of debt and to stay out of debt as much as possible:
3. The rich rules over the poor and the borrower is the slave of the lender (Proverbs 22:7).
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Foreclosures?
While Isaiah warned Judah,
4. Many houses will stand deserted, even beautiful mansions will be empty, (Isa 5:9, NLT),
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Isaiah also told the peoples of Judah what to do:
5. The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said,
'Don't call everything a conspiracy, like they do,
and don't live in dread of what frightens them.
Make the LORD of Heaven's Armies holy in your life.
He is the one you should fear.
He is the one who should make you tremble.
He will keep you safe.'
(Isaiah 8:11-14, NLT)
In other words, we are not to think like the world - we are to only fear the Lord - nothing else. It is He who will keep us safe.
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Always remember that we don't own anything - not our 401ks, IRAs, money market funds, real estate, cars, spouses or children. We are just stewards of what God leases out to us during our lifetimes.
6. The heavens are Yours,
the earth also is Yours.
The world and all it contains, You have
founded them.
(Psalm 89:11, NASB)
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Store up these treasures in your heart so that you may meditate on them when fear or panic sets in. God cares for you!
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