Sunday, June 5, 2022

Psalm 91 A Stone of Remembrance

 

Many years ago, a neighbor gave me this decorative Psalm 91 stone. It was inside a surprise grab bag at the neighborhood yard sale.  She stopped me on the sidewalk, and said, This is meant for you. The synchronicity was timely...just the message I needed that moment.

"For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."

The more receptive we are to acknowledge the loving help of our angels,  the easier it is to pass our tests and trials with peace, love, and guidance.  Direction that avoids obstacles that try to block our progress. During hurricanes and times of great anxiety, I find peace in the midst of the storm by reciting these powerful guarantees of safety.   
 
 Psalm 91 begins: 
"He that dwelleth in the Secret Place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Later it describes the protection as covering us with his feathers (like a mother bird sheltering her brood). To dwell means to live or reside, not just a place to run to in times of trouble.  When we dwell in the Secret Place of the Most High (spiritual state of consciousness) and not dwell on our problems-- continually, we are under God's Law of Love and grace. 

For years my husband, Elliot, and I would read out loud Psalm 91, the closing prayer on the Sabbath.  Mom asked me if I had memorized it yet.

Her question challenged me to put wasted time to better use. I copied Psalm 91 on an index card and stuck it in my purse. Whenever I had a free moment at home or waiting in long lines at the post office, bank, grocery store or idling at a stop light, I'd pull out Psalm 91 to study, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

It didn't come easy, but slowly line-by-line, verse-upon-verse, the powerful words were learned.  I would write down what had been memorized, and add the new verse. A commitment and hard work, but something wonderful happened in the process. Whenever  I closed my eyes and got still and began to recite a new verse and add it then to the memorized, I felt an inner stirring, an awakening within me. The powerful verses had a spiritual presence, activating an inner work. I'd heard people say, There is power in The Word, now I fully understood the meaning.

Shortly after committing Psalm 91 to heart, I was put to a major test.  To my amazement, I was in peace and acceptance, not adversely reacting to a big challenge, like in the past. The change was so palpable, my ego worried what's wrong with me?!  Then, I realized, over the past few months, time spent learning Psalm 91 had released a spiritual power within me. Rather than running in fear to the Secret Place, I now abided in the Secret Place of the Most High. Angels were charged to watch over me in all my ways and lift me up so I wouldn't dash my foot upon a rock and lose my peace. To my delight, I passed the test, and soon the problem faded away as quickly as it had come.
 
During these times of great tribulation, I offer you the loving invitation that you, too, may entertain the idea of committing Psalm 91wholly to heart.  What blesses one blesses all.  Not only will it benefit you and your loved ones, but the whole world will be blessed, and the angels rejoice.  
 
Love and peace,
 

Rae Karen