Dwell Under His Wings in Psalm 91 and Refuse to Fear

The words dwell and abide are important words. Where you live is where you rest. Where you spend your time reveals a lot about you. It’s important to consider where you walk, stand, and sit. With whom and where you abide and place your trust is vitally important.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1

This first verse of Psalm 91 is not alone in its assertion. The Bible is replete with this very promise. We, who are broken, have a hiding place. A shadow. A shelter. A resting place. An abiding place. However, our hiding place is not really a place at all; our hiding place is a Person. The Most High. The Almighty.

What a powerful promise in a time of need.

Faith not only hears, but faith speaks. When facing loss, you may find it helpful to not only read or hear promises, but you may find it helpful to speak those promises in prayer. Out loud.

“I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” Psalm 91:2

The psalmist proclaims in faith that the Most High, the Almighty is a refuge and a fortress worthy of trust. Yes, in times of need. In times of loss. In times of pain. Even then. He is a Deliverer. He covers us under his wings. His faithfulness is a shield for us.

“You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.” Psalm 91:5-6

It’s important to reframe your expectations. Terror, arrows, pestilence, darkness, and destruction may come. We live in a fallen, broken world. Pain persists in our earthly experience. Face that reality or you will stumble in the face of loss. So, this promise does not prevent the fallout from our broken world.

And yet, we—who have an eternal perspective with a faithful God—are not abdicated to fear. Courage is not the absence of difficulty; courage is the ability to face the difficulty with him. We are eternally secure. Vengeance is the Lord’s and not ours and so we stand firm in the face of brokenness.

The dwelling place and refuge of the Most High is our ultimate protection against eternal evil. The Devil himself is quoted using Psalm 91:11 in Matthew 4:6. So, be careful to recognize this promise is true for today but only fully realized in eternity. This promise was made to Jesus, and he still died; but he rose again! These promises are not to be misused to claim brokenness will not affect you in the here-and-now. Even Jesus faced death, a culmination of all of brokenness for all of time.

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.” Psalm 91:14

Psalm 91 is clear and calming. The shelter provided requires a faith posture in times of trouble born of brokenness. We have to hold fast. Death, pain, and loss are experiences in our fallen world. But take heart, eternal salvation and reward come to those who hold fast to Christ in love. Protection is ours eternally because we know his name.

Lament includes trust. In pain we are invited to call on the Almighty. He will answer. We are his possession and we are loved through the pain.

Stand firmly upon this declaration: Dwell faithfully and confidently under his mighty wings, fear not, and you will enjoy eternity with satisfaction!

“With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:16