The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Saturday, 25 January 2014 - “Saturday” Read Psalm 91

The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Saturday, 25 January 2014 - “Saturday” Read Psalm 91: Assurance of God’s Protection

1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High,

    who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,[a]

2 will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress;

    my God, in whom I trust.”

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler

    and from the deadly pestilence;

4 he will cover you with his pinions,

    and under his wings you will find refuge;

    his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

5 You will not fear the terror of the night,

    or the arrow that flies by day,

6 or the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

    or the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,

    ten thousand at your right hand,

    but it will not come near you.

8 You will only look with your eyes

    and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge,[b]

    the Most High your dwelling place,

10 no evil shall befall you,

    no scourge come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you

    to guard you in all your ways.

12 On their hands they will bear you up,

    so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread on the lion and the adder,

    the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.

14 Those who love me, I will deliver;

    I will protect those who know my name.

15 When they call to me, I will answer them;

    I will be with them in trouble,

    I will rescue them and honor them.

16 With long life I will satisfy them,

    and show them my salvation.

Footnotes:

a. Psalm 91:1 Traditional rendering of Heb Shaddai

b. Psalm 91:9 Cn: Heb Because you, Lord, are my refuge; you have made

The Lord said, “Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.”--Psalm 91:14 (NRSV)

My father left us when I was six years old. I never knew my dad as a provider, protector, or promise keeper. He would promise my sisters and me that he would come to see us on Saturday, then not show up. I remember that once after we were grown, we made a “date” with him one Saturday to go out to dinner for our birthdays. We got all dressed up, and as you can guess . . . he did not show up. Because of my poor relationship with my earthly father, I had a hard time relating to God as my heavenly Father. I trusted that God could save me but wondered, Will God provide for me when I am lonely? Will God protect me from those who would do me harm or from myself when I make bad decisions? Can I trust God’s promises? Will God “show up on Saturday”? During the years of my Christian journey, I have come to realize that my dad is my dad — and God is my God. I can trust my Creator with my triumphs, my trials, and my tears. And I thank God for the chance to live a more abundant life. (See John 10:10.)--The Author-Carolyn Buford (North Carolina, USA)

Thought for the Day: Volunteer with a mentoring program.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to be your children. Help us to forgive those who hurt and disappoint us. Amen.

Prayer focus: Fathers and their children

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