The Security of Unfailing Love

On Sunday morning, in the church I attend, we sang the following words, “Blessed be your name, on the road marked with suffering, Though there’s pain in the offering. blessed be your name.”

I thought to myself that to keep on the road marked with suffering requires faith in someone so much greater than oneself. A young woman in her early twenties was then invited to go forward to testify how, with her mother and two younger siblings, she had travelled across Europe from a war-torn land to England. She read the words of Psalm 33:20-21, “We wait in hope for the Lord. He is our help and shield. In Him our hearts rejoice for we trust in His Holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”  She explained that her country is still at war, and they are unable to see an end to the war. She longed to be able to go back to her own land but had concluded that her real home is now in heaven. She then prayed for those she had left behind that God would deliver them from all evil, show His mighty hand, as they suffer, and give them the joy of walking with Him.

The words of our text for today come from one of the best-known psalms, which is a glowing testimony of those who trust in God. It is a psalm for when you face danger, exposure, and are challenged by the powers of evil. It brings before us the reality of the dark world in which we live, which is getting darker. It is also a reminder that God is in control, whatever happens. He will have the final say. Dwelling in the shelter of the Most High is a permanent place to live, day by day. It is the safest place when life is hard, because we are for ever enclosed in His unfailing love, with the assurance of His permanent presence. “My God in whom I trust” is worthy of my trust because He is truly faithful in all His promises. Trust and love can’t really be separated. To trust is evidence of love.

The Psalmist speaks of the one in whom he trusts as the Most High, Almighty, Lord, and God. It is four names in two verses. He is incomparable in power as well as in love. As long as we remain in Him, we have the assurance of His protection from whatever the enemy may throw at us, whether it’s a snare to trap us, or famine, or pestilence, or oppression.  The Psalmist paints the picture of a mother bird who gathers her chicks under her wings for protection when danger threatens and likens that to God’s protection of, and care for, His children. We might say that ‘under His wings’, is in His heart. Because God is faithful, we can trust Him. His heart is open to all. In that safe place, you need not fear the attack of the enemy any time, whether it’s midday or midnight. We must remind ourselves that the death of Jesus overcame the enemy, and nothing is outside of His control.

Our God is a miracle-working God who promises to command His angels to guard his own. He also has a special love for those who love Him. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him. I will protect him for he acknowledges my name.  He will call on me and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble” (Psalm 91:14-16).