Welcome to Day 3
Opening Prayer
Thank you father for the revelation of your word of truth. Thank you because we are not trespassing into the throne of Grace; NO! We are not because you yourself said we should come with all BOLDNESS into this throne of Grace. We come with all confidence to obtain mercy and find grace tonight. We ask that our hearts are open to receive with meekness the engrafted word of truth, which is able to save our soul and to give us an inheritance among them that are sanctified. In Jesus' name we pray.
Discussion
Today, we will be reminding ourselves of our covenant of protection from Ps 91.
Ps 91 (ESV)
5 You will have nothing to fear at night
and no need to be afraid of enemy arrows during the day.
6 You will have no fear of diseases that come in the dark
or terrible suffering that comes at noon.
7 A thousand people may fall dead at your side
or ten thousand right beside you,
but nothing bad will happen to you!
8 All you will have to do is watch,
and you will see that the wicked are punished.
Some weeks ago, I watched the interview of a woman who has been collecting stories of people who stand on Ps 91. She told us the story of how one of them was rescued from a plane crash. You say plane crash? Can anyone survive plane crash? Yes, you have a covenant of protection. The plane nose-dived into the Atlantic ocean. They were in it for 40 days. He saw how sharks ate his colleagues. It was all over the news that the plane was missing because they couldn’t find it. We know how cold the Atlantic ocean can be, yet he was there for 40 days, without food but his wife at home said she knew he would be back because both of them regularly remind themselves of their covenant of protection from Ps 91. This Ps 91 stories collector also talked about how she followed soldiers who have gone to war and have stood on Ps 91, how they all return home safely. This covenant is real, but the role of the enemy is to cause us to doubt it because he knows it can only be established by TRUSTING & BELIEVING. He knows ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO THEM THAT BELIEVE (see the introduction discussion for reference).
V5 talks about not fearing the night. I like the blanket statement God's word provides because it covers many aspects of our lives. God doesn’t want us to be afraid of the night. We are not safer in the morning than we are at night if we are walking in our covenant of protection. I also see the night as the night season of our lives i.e old age. There are some chronic conditions that are associated with old age such as cognitive decline, dementia but this verse covers the night.
V5b says we will not fear the enemy arrows that fly in the day. We are protected from the dangers in the day as well. Stray bullets, school shooting, one chance kidnapping, we are not to fear.
V6 talks about diseases that come in the dark. Diseases that come even when we are not aware, this covers tumors, lumps, chronic diseases and disabilities.
V6b talks about terrible sufferings at noon. There are some terrible sufferings (some due to diseases) that are associated with the noon time, loss of loved ones is a bad things. if anyone tells you it may be the will of God and the desire of God then maybe they haven't experienced it or are being religious. We have a covenant that we can stand on to protect us. There is a caveat here; I have noticed that it is more difficult to stand on a covenant for others. It is possible but it is more difficult than doing it for yourself. The reason is because they are humans with their will, they have their own mouth and they can choose to drive their lives in the direction they want to. I have had conversations with people who have lost loved ones and they often tell me how the person has consistently used the power of their mouth to talk about how they could die anytime even though their family offer prayers on their behalf. They have confessed that their death could be at any time and some even mention God saying whenever God says its time but we know God's Word has said He will satisfy us with long life. i believe children are exempted from this, for as long as they do not yet have their own will, we can stand on the covenant for them. At the end of this post, I will be posting resources that talk more about these things.
V7-8 says a thousand may fall to our side and ten thousand but it will not come near you. This is why we must not be afraid because it won't touch you. It may be flu season but you are immune, there may be an epidemics but your covenant covers this. I think of when you get a gift card and you are told you can spend it in so and so places, you are wondering if this card will cover this. Yes your covenant covers this as well.
Prayer points
Worship God for taking delight in you.
Thank Him because your day, noon and night are secure
Bless His name because his covenant of protection redeems you from every hidden trap of the enemy'
Ask that by His mercy, He will quicken His word to life in your heart.
Feel free to share with us how you have been building trust in the midst of the uncertainties around you.
References and resources