A Thousand May Fall
“Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.”
Psalm 91:7
Though no author is mentioned in the text of this Psalm, Jewish tradition points to Moses as the writer. It’s in these next several verses we see some strong references to the Passover night.
The Israelites escaped Pharaoh. They would see God’s plagues afflict him and the Egyptians. Thousands had fallen. Ten thousands were dead all around them – yet those evils did not touch the Israelites.
Each of us probably has a story to tell about how COVID has impacted us. The lives lost, jobs lost, businesses that have suffered. People are sick and loved ones hurting. The list could go on and on. Sometimes, life is incredibly hard and you may say, “Why is this happening?”
It’s important to remember, this is not our home. Heaven is our ultimate destination. We live in a world that’s full of sin – that’s full of problems, trials, and tribulations. Jesus even warned us, life would not be easy. In John 16:33 He says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.”
Take heart. Hold onto Hope. We need to encourage one another now more than ever.
This verse is the assurance to believers that even though a thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand are dying around you – these evils will not touch you.
Let me ask you: Do you trust God’s Word? Do you believe that He is faithful and will deliver on His promises? He delivered the Israelites and He will deliver you. His promises are available to those who believe. Trust Him.
“It is impossible that any ill should happen to the man who is beloved of the Lord; the most crushing calamities can only shorten his journey and hasten him to his reward. Ill to him is no ill, but only good in a mysterious form. Losses enrich him, sickness is his medicine, reproach is his honour, death is his gain. No evil in the strict sense of the word can happen to him, for everything is overruled for good.”
-Charles Spurgeon
Nothing catches God by surprise. He’s God. He knew there would be times where there would be so many negative, scary reports. He knows the danger around us and how we might feel so overwhelmed. That’s why He warned us. But we, as believers, have an important choice to make. Either we run to Him and seek shelter, or we can get caught up in all the worry, anxiety, and fear and let it consume us.
Psalm 91 is God’s protection promise given to His children against every evil.
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your mighty protection, for myself and my family. Lord, it’s often hard – when we hear about so many people getting sick – even dying. It can naturally cause us to fear. So help us Lord, help us to take those fearful thoughts captive. Help us Lord, to lean on You. Help us to trust in You more, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
Praying for you today that God will strengthen and encourage you through this Psalm!
–Christine Batchelder