Not If, But Because

Psalm 91 has become one of my favorite chapters in the whole Bible.  We have the faith chapter, the love chapter, and I dub this chapter as the protection chapter.  There are many aspects to these verses that I like.  First, verse four it talks about God covering you with his feathers.  My first thought was how soft.  His feathers must be like that of a goose or some other bird that keeps their chicks warm and safe.  How safe that makes me feel, knowing God is protecting me.  I am also reminded of a feather pillow.  My Dad has one and I have one.  We love them. I love the smell of my pillow.  I know that is strange, but it gives me memory sensory. 

The verses following verse four (five through thirteen) tell what you do not have to be afraid of.  What comfort to know that anything you can think up, God is shielding you.  He has his angels there to carry you so you will not stumble or stub your toe.  He then finishes the chapter with a promise.  A promise that says that because we love him, he will rescue us.  Not if, but because.  What a wonderful chapter!

Psalm 91

 ¹ Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
   will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
   my God, in whom I trust.”  ³ Surely he will save you
   from the fowler’s snare
   and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
   and under his wings you will find refuge;
   his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
   nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
   nor the plague that destroys at midday.
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 observe with your eyes
   and see the punishment of the wicked.
 ⁹ If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
   and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰ no harm will overtake you,
   no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
   to guard you in all your ways;
¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
   so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
¹³ You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
   you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
 ¹⁴ “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
   I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
¹⁵ He will call on me, and I will answer him;
   I will be with him in trouble,
   I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him
   and show him my salvation.”