Are we there, yet?! This is what my kids say when we are in the car taking an all day trip across the country to visit family. We know our destination will be delightful, but the wait in the car can be brutal.
This world is not our home. We have a delightful destination beyond our greatest imagination awaiting us in heaven. But, in the meantime, we are on a great journey. That journey can and will be filled with many trials and obstacles to overcome. In fact, many obstacles will be “thoughtfully” placed in our path by our enemy the devil.
As you have been fasting, you may have come across several traps that the enemy has laid for you to keep you from what God has called you to do. He knows that when you seek his face in this way, the Lord has may precious promises that he will fulfill on your behalf. This is because the Lord is good. His faithfulness is eternal. Every one of his promises are YES in Christ Jesus!
When he gives you a conditional promise and you keep your side, he keeps his side of the bargain!
Today, let’s focus on praying for protection and the power to overcome, as we are about smack dab in the middle of our fast. Don’t forget the enemy tempted Jesus, when he was in the middle of an intense fast! Also, remember that Jesus said, “Take heart! I have overcome the world!” Today, we will use Psalm 91 to pray for protection, as we fast. (It’s funny, because this is the very scripture the devil tried to tempt Jesus with, when he fasted.)
Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God
paraphrase- in italics.
Psalm 91 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
“Lord, I have been dwelling in your presence, in your secret place, Oh Most High. During my fast, I have been abiding under the shadow of you, Almighty. I say of you, “You ARE my refuge and fortress; My God, in YOU I will trust.”
3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the [a]fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
4 He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and [b]buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
Surely, YOU will deliver me from the snare of the fowler, and from the perilous pestilence, deadly and terrible sicknesses and physical trauma. You shall cover me with your feathers, and under your wings I will take refuse; Your truth shall be my shield and buckler. I will not be afraid of the terror by night, NOR the arrow that flies by day, NOT the pestilence that walks in the darkness. Even if I can’t see it, I will not fear. I will not fear the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
8 Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
7 A thousand may fall at my side,
And ten thousand at my right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
8 Only with my eyes shall I look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10 No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
12 In their hands they shall [c]bear you up,
Lest you [d]dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
9 Because I have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, my dwelling place,
10 No evil shall befall me or my family,
Nor shall any plague come near my dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over me,
To keep us in all our ways.
12 In their hands they shall [c]bear me up,
Lest I [d]dash my foot against a stone.
13 In the name of Jesus, I shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent I shall trample underfoot.
14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will [e]set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With [f]long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”
14 “Oh Lord, Because you have set your love upon Me, therefore you will deliver me;
You will [e]set me on high with Jesus, because you have known My name.
15 You shall call upon Me, and I will answer you;
You will be with me in trouble;
You will deliver me and honor me through and in Christ and his resurrection power.
16 With [f]long life you will satisfy me,
And show him My salvation.”
Revealed Ministries 