Psalm 91

I was so encouraged this morning reading about the character of my God.  I thoroughly enjoyed the word pictures in the beginning of this Psalm.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1

I thought about that for a minute, and the first thing that came to my mind was the idea of "living in [someone's] shadow".  That generally has a negative connotation, but then it hit me that in the desert, a shadow was relief, or a safe place to rest.

I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." 
Psalm 91:2

I know it's inaccurate, but this always draws up a picture for me of a medieval castle, or maybe the picture of Helm's Deep in Lord of the Rings. You know, something so solid that it seems unshakable.

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge;
Psalm 91:3-4a

Here is the sweet picture of a mother bird with her little ones peeping out from under her wings.  It is warmth and comfort. =)

his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 
Psalm 91:4b

The shield is another picture of defense, but rather than being something stationary, it can be with you wherever you are.

Now, I'm not sure what the rest of this Psalm means.  I know what it CAN'T mean.  It can't mean that as long as I am in Christ I will never have problems.  Jesus said that if we would follow Him, we must take up our cross.  The cross was painful. But since the whole Word is profitable... =)

You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place-- the Most High, who is my refuge-- no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."
Psalms 91:5-16