Psalm 91 - Encouragement for my friends going to the Nations this Summer

To my incredible friends who are obeying God's command to GO and serve (to Zambia, Kenya, Haiti, Nepal, El Salvador, Ecuador, Ohio, etc. to name a few) this summer:

You all have been an incredible source of support to me in SO MANY ways and I'm so thankful to finally be able to play the role of supporting YOU this summer!!!

When Sara and I were in China this past February, we decided to memorize Psalm 91 due to some circumstances that really kind of scared us. It's taken awhile to actually follow through with the memorization, but our most recent goal was to finish memorizing before she leaves for her trip to Kenya this week. I was afraid I might not meet the goal again, but praise God, this morning, I finally finished memorizing, with only a few minor mistakes!

As I was typing it out and testing my memorization to share with Sara, I decided that I wanted to share it with the rest of my friends who are also serving the Lord on mission trips this summer. So, may this be a source of encouragement. Regardless of where you're going, what you're doing... even if you're staying home and serving the Lord in your local community, BE ENCOURAGED:

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress,

my God in whom I trust."

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler

and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his pinions

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

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.

A thousand may fall at your side

ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you.

You will only look with your eyes

and see the recompense of the wicked.

Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place,

the Most High, who is my refuge,

No evil shall be allowed to befall you,

nor plague come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways.

On their hands, they will bear you up,

lest you strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread on the lion and the adder,

the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

"Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him.

I will protect him, because he knows my name.

When he calls to me, I will answer him.

I will be with him in trouble.

I will rescue him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him,

and show him my salvation."

Something that kind of struck me a few days ago when I was meditating on this... perhaps this psalm is somewhat evangelistic? This thought came from the different pronouns - switching from I/my to you/your. It's as if the psalmist is trying to convince his reader to hold on to Jesus - to trust Him completely, no matter what.

I love the words of our Father at the end in quotes. It's like his sweet affirmation of everything that was just said.

What sweet promises you have to take with you, my dear friends!

Praying for you...