Morning Devotional 032726 God, Our Protector

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

March 27, 2026

Psalm 91:1-16

1 Living in the Most High’s shelter, camping in the Almighty’s shade, 2 I say to the LORD, “You are my refuge, my stronghold! You are my God—the one I trust!” 3 God will save you from the hunter’s trap and from deadly sickness. 4 God will protect you with his pinions; you’ll find refuge under his wings. His faithfulness is a protective shield. 5 Don’t be afraid of terrors at night, arrows that fly in daylight, 6 or sickness that prowls in the dark, destruction that ravages at noontime. 7 Even if one thousand people fall dead next to you, ten thousand right beside you it won’t happen to you. 8 Just look with your eyes, and you will see the wicked punished. 9 Because you’ve made the LORD my refuge, the Most High, your place of residence 10 no evil will happen to you; no disease will come close to your tent. 11 Because he will order his messengers to help you, to protect you wherever you go. 12 They will carry you with their own hands so you don’t bruise your foot on a stone. 13 You’ll march on top of lions and vipers; you’ll trample young lions and serpents underfoot. 14 God says, “Because you are devoted to me, I’ll rescue you. I’ll protect you because you know my name. 15 Whenever you cry out to me, I’ll answer. I’ll be with you in troubling times. I’ll save you and glorify you. 16 I’ll fill you full with old age. I’ll show you my salvation.”

Good Morning! Do not fear, God is with us!

This passage makes me ponder because each of us suffers and struggles. David, who is proclaiming this message, loves and trusts God but, in his humanness, makes terrible choices and suffers the consequences. 

How can we reconcile David’s words with our own? We can pray Psalm 91 with confidence, claiming all of its promised benefits and protections because God, in his grace, has chosen us.  From before the foundation of the world, he chose us in Christ to be his children and to share in his glory forever.  His strength allows us to hold fast to him in love.  His Spirit in our hearts cries ‘Abba Father’ and teaches us to know my Savior and to hear and understand his Word.  He helps us pray, and he testifies to our spirit concerning our salvation.  At bottom – no, from top to bottom – this is a matter of grace.

By God’s grace, we are the chosen children of God despite all we do to make a mess of things. 

God of Wisdom, you bless us abundantly! Thank you for loving us. We do not deserve your love, yet you bless us with it despite our failings. Thank you for sending Jesus to save us. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: The Lord is our comfort and refuge.

Our God fills us with love, mercy, and compassion to share with the world! Pastor Liz