At the same time as seeing the completion of the new bus shelter for our community, one member of the church has been prayng to provide more for our community in terms of ‘shelter’ than just a physical building…
“With the new bus shelter in place outside our church building, it might be appropriate to share a way I have been praying for our community and our world about a different sense of "shelter." This is a shelter that has been in place for centuries and has been used effectively by people down the centuries, - and this is Psalm 91. Many know this Psalm and have prayed with it in times of danger, of distress, or war as well as in peace-time.
It is a prayer that covers every need and applies to every situation. The first line of it is the key to all the blessings that follow in the Psalm, blessings of protection, of healing, and of safety for all mankind.
The first line is:
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
In case anyone has not got a Bible, here is the Psalm in full:
PSALM 91
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him:
I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him:
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him, and honour him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.