“Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows My Name. When he calls to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16
Devotional Thought For The Day
These are the ultimate blessings – the assurance of God’s oversight and protection, His deliverance from our difficulties and troubles, His answer to our prayers and God’s comforting presence in our troubles, rescue and even honor from God, long life, and finally God’s wondrous gift of salvation. What more could a child of God ask for or want? With these blessings in place one does not need earthly wealth or power, one does not need the praise of men or status, and one does not need to fret about “earning” something from God – all of these things are promised by God. And we remember that God is truthful and always faithful to His Word – so that these things are guaranteed to us as we go through our various trials, troubles, and tribulations in this earthly life.
Note that these blessings are not attached to our works, to how much we have cleansed ourselves from our sin or how sanctified and dedicated we are, but rather to our relationship with God – that we “know” His Name [that is, that we know Him, as He has revealed Himself to us in His Word, His written Word, Holy Scripture, the Bible] and that in knowing His great love for us, His forgiveness, life and salvation in Christ Jesus, we “hold fast” to Him in love. The distinction is not one that humans would notice, or find notable, or utilize as a basis for elevating themselves over others – in fact such relationship with God is devoid of such sanctimonious pride and rejects it, acknowledging rather that our sins are as scarlet and our righteousnesses as filthy rags, but still rejoicing that the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. This is truthful and honest relationship with God – knowing and believing the love that He has for us, rejoicing that we have peace with God and eternal life through faith in Jesus. And God richly blesses such faith, promising these wonderful and all-encompassing blessings to His dear children of faith.
It is obvious that such blessings are not an absence of troubles and burdens, but rather strengthen and sustain us in all trouble and danger. So we will continue to face fearful challenges and great threats – neither the devil nor his followers can stand to see a blessed child of God go through such a peaceful and secure life without doing all that they can to harm and destroy us. These promises, however, give us assurance and strengthen our faith, so that in the face of all trials and danger we know that God is with us to protect us, deliver us, rescue us, and bless us – now and forever. Such was the blessedness of the psalmist, a dear child of faith in God. Such is the blessedness that God extends to each of us through the promises of His Word, so that we might also know His Name and hold fast to Him in love. May He grant such blessedness to each of us as we also grow in faith and trust in Him, and in the joy of His salvation.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, many are the dangers that we face each day in life, and the troubles that come into our lives through our own sins and the sins of others. Thanks and praise to You for Your gracious mercy and forgiveness, and for Your promises to continue blessing us. Grant that we grow to know You more and more, that we cling to Your Name, and that we always hold fast to You in love. We pray for the blessedness of holding to Your promises that we neither fear nor despair but rejoice always in Your presence and protection. Eternal thanks and praise to You for Your great love for us. Amen.