Cover Me
by Liz Griffin
I do find there are times in life when I am overwhelmed and feel unable to cope. Anxiety and fear are great enemies and they rob me of the ‘abundant’ life Jesus has promised to those who follow Him. But, because I have a relationship with Father God through Jesus, I know I have a safe place of protection where I can run and hide.
My daily reading plan of the bible, written by my husband, Paul, has a commentary on each passage, and I like what he has written about Psalm 91:
‘Psalm 91 describes in vivid terms the security we have when we are fully committed to God and put our trust in Him. When we do this, we will come under His covering and protection and we do not need to fear the work of the enemy. God will send His ministering angels to help us and we have the authority and power to trample on lions and snakes (Satan)’.
Verse 4 leapt out at me as I was reading Psalm 91 and I have put the NIV version in as today’s text, but Dr Brian Simmonds has written a very comforting version in the Passion Translation, ‘His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under his covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm’.
The lyrics of the beautiful song ‘Still’ by Hillsong always ministers deeply into my spirit; ‘Hide me now under Your wings. Cover me within Your mighty hand. When the oceans rise and thunders roar, I will soar with You above the storm. Father. You are King over the flood. I will be still and know You are God. Find rest my soul In Christ alone. Know His power, in quietness and trust’ (‘Still’ Hillsong Live lyrics).
I am well aware that we have an enemy of our souls who likes to attack us and bring us to a point of discouragement in our faith and trust in the Lord. Yet we have a promise in Psalm 91 that tells us we have authority to overcome spiritual powers coming against us. Verse 13 says ‘You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent’. Satan is pictured in the bible as a roaring dangerous lion or a poisonous snake. The Passion Translation put it this way, ‘You’ll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness, trampling every one of them beneath your feet!’
Today, if you are going through the storms of life and need to find a safe harbour and place of rest, I recommend reading Psalm 91 and perhaps even memorising some of the verses. ‘Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust”’ (Psalm 91:1). Speak them over yourself and pray them in a personal way. Here is the prayer that my husband, Paul, wrote in the reading plan.
Prayer: Father God, thank You that I can come under Your covering and protection. Thank You that You are my fortress and my refuge. When I feel afraid or anxious, help me to remember this promise, put my trust in You and find a place of rest in You. Amen.
Liz Griffin lived for 20 years as an expatriate in South Africa, Bahrain and Japan, as her husband Paul worked for an international oil company. Paul and Liz became involved with Ellel Ministries in 1991 as part of the ministry team and joined the full-time team at Ellel Grange in 1995. Paul and Liz teach and minister to those seeking healing in their lives and together have written two books, 'Anger - How Do You Handle It' and 'Hope and Healing For The Abused'.
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