Small Minister's Message

God Is With Us

Psalm 91 was a powerful assurance to the people of that day of God’s presence and protection. We find the poetic images of the psalm both tender and trustworthy. The writer suggests that God provides refuge for the faithful in the same way a mother bird provides safety and care for its fledglings. These ancient people were told that the protection of the Lord shielded the faithful from the evil that lurked in the night. And they considered themselves the only “faithful” people. In this scripture God was said to even offer refuge from the overwhelming heat of the noonday sun . God’s protection was made real to them…and also to us…through God’s never-ending presence.

The images mentioned in Psalm 91 invited them and continue to invite us to find comfort in God’s presence.

Understanding the nature of Psalm 91 requires careful examination. It is meant to provide a feeling of security and confidence in God for the faithful. It is important to note that confidence comes from the promise and assurance of God’s constant presence. This does not necessarily mean physical protection. Too many times we find challenges and trials in life and expect God to “fix them”. But we experience God’s care and protection in many ways. A too literal reading of the psalm diminishes and oversimplifies this central message. It could also challenge the faith of one who would take the promise of protection literally.

Theologians and thinkers down through the ages have imagined a god created in their own image. We too are sometimes guilty of this. Because of the limitations of our imaginations and experience, we have all imagined our god to be like a magician. That god of our imagination has disappointed us when we or our loved ones have suffered and that suffering is not alleviated by the all powerful and magical god we have thought to be reality.

But it is true that God is with us at all times…..even in the worst times of our lives.

It is important to note that God cannot protect us from the consequences of our own actions..or even those evil actions of others. We are the hands of God…and actually God’s helpers. That is why “community” is so important for us to achieve. We need one another. God uses each of us to minister to the needs of one another. But we have to be aware of God’s still small voice as we are led to do the ministry we are called to do.

And because God is always present with us, we too can find the strength and courage to overcome extreme difficulties. Somehow as we learn to trust in God’s unfailing presence, we experience liberation from fear and worries that are beyond our control. That has been my experience, and the experience of millions of others down through the ages. It can be each of our experience if we open ourselves to it.

God is with us at all times.