I will be with them vs. I will deliver them. Psalm 91
“Because they love me, says the Lord, I will rescue them; I will protect them, for they acknowledge my name. They will call on me, and I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will deliver them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation.” Psalm 91: 14 - 16
These verses are at the end of a Psalm where God promises protection and victory over everything from snakes and lions [Verse 13] right through to terrors of night and arrows that fly by day in verse 5 and everything in between. It’s a commonly used Psalm promising protection but I believe some people use the first part of this Psalm and other bible passages to teach that if we just follow God’s ways and do all the right things we will never have any problems. HOW WRONG! In verse 15 and in many passages of the bible [plus many Christians lives ever since including Jesus himself ] we see great suffering with the promise of God being with us in our suffering NOT always taking it all away. Jesus said that in this world you will have troubles but I have overcome the world. That was obvious in the lives of the early followers of Jesus including how most of how the 12 disciples died. So what am I saying is this………Well for starters don’t think it’s always because you have sinned or done something wrong. It could be, but not neccessarily so! ……… Secondly: God doesn’t always take away all our problems but he will never leave you nor forsake you. Verse 91: 15 and the great commission : Mathew 28:21…..And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Jesus was with his disciples in the form of the Holy Spirit from the day of Pentecost but the disciples still went on and were persecuted, flogged, imprisoned etc. You may be thinking now “But I’m not being imprisoned or anything for my faith….what good is this doing for the Lord or for the sake of furthering the gospel”. I know I’ve felt at times thoughts similair to that…..What good is this mental illness doing me or anyone else for that matter. But years later I am writing this and can relate to you and to others in their pain and mental and emotional anguish. I’ve often heard it said that the best person to help a person through their suffering is one who has been there before them. Who knows whom or what situation you’re helping with both now and in the future by what you are going through now.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it’s all doom and gloom as Christians until we get to heaven or Jesus returns or anything like that. All I’m saying is we need to have an equal balance. Yes, we are protected by God, but yes Jesus did say in this world you will have troubles, but I have overcome the world AND I will be with you. Colourful - Dave Longworth