Is This A Blanket Promise?

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.  Psalm 91:7-8

God is powerful enough to protect us even when thousands fall all around us, but does this mean that God will save us every single time?  Hardly.  God did not spare His own Son from suffering.  While on mission, His life was protected even though He had many enemies who sought to destroy Him.  God kept Jesus until “It is finished” was spoken from the cross.

My father fought in WWII, in the European theatre.  In one battle, his platoon was hemmed in at the front lines.  They dug a trench, spent the night, and knew that the probability of death in the morning was almost certain.  Before leaving home for Europe, Dad set out to memorize Psalm 91.  That night in the trenches, he recited it until the dawn broke.  When the sun came up, the fighting grew fierce and several hours in, the heavy artillery stopped.  Looking around, he discovered that he was the only one who had survived.  He retreated backwards on his belly for many hours until he could set off on foot to join in with another platoon.

But on two other occasions, he was not spared harm.  Psalm 91 was still quoted from memory yet he was severely wounded.  So severely, in fact, that he was awarded 2 purple hearts for his bravery. 

Psalm 91 is not a spiritual rabbit’s foot.  It is an affirmation of trust in a powerful God who can choose to spare life or choose to extend grace if deliverance doesn’t fit with His overall purpose.  We never know which it will be, but we place ourselves into the hands of our Mighty God.  Nothing, absolutely nothing, causes him a moment of worry.  And nothing should cause us to distrust His promises.

I’ve lived long enough to see You spare my life and allow me to be wounded in battle.  I trust You with my life no matter Your decision.  Amen