God’s Protection in Times of Crisis

Here is a prayer I’m recommending we pray and encouragement we receive, as well as guidance for the Pandemic and some free resources for you.

Today, many of us need to pray and receive the declaration in Psalm 91, offered below in the Lexham English Bible translation.

Psalm 91 is in 3 parts

1. An individual proclaiming trust in Yahweh, God Most High
2. An audience speaking to that individual, describing Yahweh’s protection and care
3. Yahweh speaking to the faithful individual. (Personalize this prayer, which means, for women, insert “she” where appropriate!)

As a reminder, to understand God, look to Jesus, who is Yahweh with us and in us through faith.

Here is Psalm 91 (LEB).

An Individual Proclaims Trust in Yahweh

One who lives in the secret place of the Most High will lodge in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to Yahweh, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, from the plague of destruction.

With his feathers, he will cover you, and under his wings, you can take refuge.

His faithfulness will be a shield and a buckler.

You need not fear the terror of the night or the arrow that flies by day or the plague that spreads in the darkness or the destruction that devastates at noon.

A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your hand, but it will not come near you.

An Audience Speaks to the Individual

You will only look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. For you, O Yahweh, are my refuge.

You have the made the Most High your dwelling place. No harm will befall you, and no plague will come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you, to watch over you in all your ways. In their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread on lion and viper; you will trample young lion and serpent.

Yahweh Speaks

Because he (or she!) loves me, therefore, I will deliver him (or her…insert where appropriate); I will protect him because he knows my name.

He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue and honor him.

With long life, I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

Thank you, Lord Jesus!

Guidance during the Pandemic

Please continue following the guidance I sent out to newsletter subscribers a couple weeks ago:

Remember the Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

1. We should ask the Lord to intervene against the spiritual powers behind the pandemic and the panic it’s causing.
2. Pray for our leaders (in the government, in our employers, in our churches, in our institutions) to make wise choices.
3. Invite God’s Kingdom – his dynamic rule and reign – into this present pandemic. When God’s reign is fully here, there will be no sickness. That’s well into the future. God’s Kingdom is not fully here yet, so invite the future into the present.
4. We should cooperate with the Lord Jesus in taking appropriate steps to stay healthy. Believers are God’s temple, so let’s act like it!
5. God appoints human governments to assist in his rule (Romans 13). Trust your public health officials and government officials. Extend grace when they bumble along and make mistakes.

All of society is under tremendous pressure right now; please extend grace and God’s love in all of our ways and all of our days.

Activities While Under Quarantine

1. The 7 part curriculum for God’s Story remains free to you. Download the workbooks, slides, watch the videos, and answer the questions with your family or as a personal devotion.
2. Hearing God remains a free PDF for you. Download it here.
3. My family and I have been watching The Chosen, a new TV series about Jesus. The first episode is free. It’s historical fiction, but remains a faithful interpretation. I encourage you to check it out. (We’ve found it easiest to view through downloading through the Chosen app available the Apple and Google Play stores and then streaming to our television).

Stay safe and in faith.