Verse of the Day (June 21, 2020)

Verse of the Day (June 21, 2020) #BMSeminary – Happy Lord’s Day! Happy Father’s Day to all Dads! When someone experiences God’s grace, he cannot keep it to himself. Consequently, the psalmist’s pronouns quickly shift from “I” to “you” (vv. 1–3; cf. Rom. 1:5–7). God’s titles explain why his grace is commendable. The one who regularly lives in the shelter of the “Most High” will find rest in the shadow of the “Almighty” (Ps. 91:1). This was especially meaningful to Israel, who was homeless for much of the Old Testament. Her refuge was the “LORD,” the “I AM” who met Moses in the burning bush and who is all-sufficient in resources (Ex. 3:14). Even so, he is the believer’s intimate companion (“my God,” v. 2). The psalmist assures us of God’s aggressive defense against every kind of threat: terror at night, arrows by day, pestilence in darkness, destruction at noon (Ps. 91:5–6), along with the lion, the adder, the young lion, and the serpent (v. 13; Luke 10:19; Acts 28:1–6). Yet God’s protection is as tender as a mother bird’s (Ps. 91:4; Deut. 32:11; Matt. 23:37). The “snare of the fowler” represents hidden plots, and “pestilence” represents everything else that threatens in this life (Ps. 91:3; 2 Cor. 4:7–11). Finally, the psalmist prophesies regarding what only a Messiah can deliver: shelter from the future judgment (Ps. 91:7–8; John 12:47). Misapplying this text, the devil urged Jesus to provoke God to an additional proof of his love (Matt. 4:6; cf. Ps. 91:11–12). But God’s pronouncement at Jesus’ baptism was sufficient (Luke 3:22). Likewise, the believer united to Christ is also perpetually assured of loving protection by God’s angels, who represent his presence (Ps. 91:11–13; 34:7; John 14:21). So what began with a human testimony to God’s deliverance from trouble ends with a divine pledge of a “long life” (for those in Christ, eternal life) and of “rescue” and “honor” for the one who “holds fast to [him] in love” (Ps. 91:14–16; John 15:26). [Gospel Transformation Study Bible]