Enfolded: A Reflection on God’s Psalm 91 PromisesIhe Nhụchatụ

If Psalm 91 doesn’t mean we won’t experience troubles, what is the promise of the psalm?

The norm in Psalm 91 is God’s prevention and protection of those who love, know, and trust Him. Even our houses are not safe, as people in war zones have found out. Many times my wife has sent me to places affected by war, violence, persecution, and upheaval with a simple assurance: “You are safest in obedience to God’s will.”

I find it helpful to distinguish between a guarantee and a warranty. In business, the former pertains to the manufacturer’s integrity; the latter relates to the product’s quality to assure the buyer.

Many years ago I was given an unbelievable gift, a new Toyota. I wanted to protect this gift for a long time and bought an extended warranty for the car. Sadly, the warranty company went out of business. I should have purchased a guarantee of the warranty!

However, a manufacturer with integrity can warranty a product with a lifetime assurance of replacement. Recently, our handyman neighbor looked at our leaky kitchen faucet, identified the worn-out part, and assured us of the integrity of the manufacturer whom we called. To our surprise, the manufacturer received our inquiry and replaced the part. They even covered shipping costs!

Less reliable manufacturers would have tried to find a way out of their commitment by claiming a new business owner does not honor the former owner’s commitments. Or that the warranty is not transferable. The most meaningless warranties apply to the “lifetime of the product!” Devious, slippery, wily.

In the believer’s life:

God is your total, final, personal guarantor and warrantor. No one will pay a better price for your salvation.

The lifetime of the salvation product is forever. Eternal life begins now and lasts forever. God has made a full advance payment for you. You are never at risk of losing salvation in the short or the long term.

Your warranty lasts as long as you live. The matters of transferability and expiration date are moot. You can’t transfer your product to anyone else. Others can directly receive the free product with a life-long warranty from the same Guarantor.

Lack of maintenance does not void a warranty. However, product function can deteriorate due to a lack of care. Routine maintenance enables and enhances the enjoyment of its benefits.

The promises of God do not promote carelessness nor presumption. But they do promote confidence in God Himself and the salvation that He provides.

How do we enjoy the benefits of this psalm today? Pray toward God’s prevention and projection, and trust Him to provide. We can’t live free of tears, but we can live free of fears.