“Waymaker, miracle-worker, promise keeper, that is who You are” are the words to a song I just heard this morning. Here in Psalm 91 are many promises God made to his people under the old covenant. That’s an important distinction to make here because of the promise of protection from “the pestilence that stalks in darkness” (6). I’ve seen this psalm posted on Facebook as the absolute promise that none of God’s people will get this sickness (which has indeed become a worldwide pestilence). We must remember that God’s covenant with Israel under Moses was conditional, when it dealt with the matter of diseases. We see this first in Exodus 15:26 and then repeated in Deuteronomy 7:15. The promise of no diseases was conditioned upon their obedience to God’s rules or covenant stipulations. However, if they did not obey God’s laws, the consequences were severe as described in Deuteronomy 28:58-63. So for the covenant keeping Israelite, Psalm 91 was his testimony. But what’s in here for new covenant believers? Plenty! God’s identity and character remain the same. He is still “the Most High,” “the Almighty,” Yahweh (LORD), the covenant-keeping, self-sufficient One, and the creator God in whom we can trust without reservation (1-2). He is still our dwelling place, shelter, refuge & fortress (2, 9). He still delivers us from the enemy’s snares & traps & provides us with spiritual covering and protection from the wiles of the devil & his demons. God still commands his angels concerning his people (11) so that we can resist the roaring lion that walks about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Through us “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under [our] feet” (Romans 16:20), as hinted at in verse 13. For New Testament believers, the promise of deliverance & protection is found throughout (3-4, 7, 10, 14), but we can elevate this to the spiritual realm over the physical. The promise of fearlessness is also for us (5) as is also found in Psalm 23:4. God’s people do not need to fear COVID-19! That doesn’t mean that none of God’s people will be afflicted with it. I’m sure that of the tens of thousands of people who have died from this virus worldwide SOME were God’s people. But for them this was not an “evil” (10) but the means by which God brought them to glory.
So, during this time of social restrictions & upheaval, my true “dwelling place” will NOT be my house but my Almighty God. He will protect me from all spiritual harm, NOT because I hold fast to him in love (14), but because HE HOLDS FAST TO ME! (See John 10:27-30.) I’m not going to be a passive victim of this virus during this time. I will actively trust in God and pray to Him, while washing my hands, using hand sanitizer, coughing & sneezing into my elbow, and practicing physical distancing. I am already abiding safely in Jesus Christ and have already been satisfied with eternal life and have seen God’s salvation in Jesus (16). What joy & comfort that brings!
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