Everyone around the world is being ask to protect themselves: social distance, quarantine, work from home, stand six feet apart, wear masks, gloves, eat and drink nutritiously. Though all these measures have and will help us to combat the coronavirus, in Psalms 91 King David points out something human effort cannot provide: a refuge and fortress.

Eight months ago, in my Brooklyn apartment, I would of never imagined I’d be in a “fortress” of my own in a small rural town in Korea; it hasn’t been hit hard with the virus and has little to no reported cases. Though I am very grateful for this blessing, I still worried a lot despite taking extra care of myself.

Not to mention my family. I’ve never prayed this much for them in my life. While I’m here in Korea, they’re in New York City, the epicenter of COVID-19. I’m constantly recommending new health or safety measures they should take, since I can’t physically do anything to help. Thank God they are all doing well by God’s grace.

I find it heartbreaking that everyday there’s at least one person on my Facebook timeline expressing the loss of a loved one. It is hard to believe this has become our new reality. I’m glad that we are doing what we humanly can to protect ourselves, family and neighbors.

It can be hard to remain positive amidst the bad news – death tolls, lockdowns, economic hardships – we hear on TV, online or in our personal lives. To those who have lost loved ones, I offer my deepest and sincere condolences to their families. I pray God showers them with an abundance of peace, love and comfort at this time.

Listen to the full audio reading of Psalms 91 here: (coming soon)

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I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Psalms 91:2 KJV

While we are worrying, afraid, confused, doubting, panicking, God wants to be our refuge, a safe place. A place where we can always come to. The place where we find deliverance from the snare of the fowler, from the noisome pestilence; covering under his feathers, his wings, his truths, from the terror by night, the arrow that flieth by day, the pestilence that walketh in darkness, the destruction that wasteth at noonday. (Adjusted Psalms 91:3-6) He is ready to receive us with open arms. He will provide safety and security to those in danger and distress.

While we are crying, mourning, sick, God wants to be our fortress, a stronghold, a permanent place of defense. The place where no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. where he gives his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways, bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Adjusted Psalms 91: 10-12) He is strong when we are weak. There is no burden, problem or situation he can’t solve. There is no disease that he can’t heal.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Psalms 91: 14 – 16 KJV

It’s important to note, King David was a wealthy man. He was a king after all. I bet if he were living in our time, he’d be able to afford all the great things life had to offer. King David also reminds us of what it means to be humble. He trusted God though he was a man in a position of power. I can imagine it’s harder to trust in God when you “have it all.” Yet, with all his prestige and riches he put his trust in God.

Amidst our human efforts, God wants us to trust in him. But he makes it clear that he wants to be acknowledged. He wants us to call on his name. How can someone help if they don’t know they’re needed?

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalms 91: 1 NIV

God’s protection is more than physical. True protection is found in this: his refuge and fortress, a safe place to rest and trust in him. Of course he wants us to trust that he can and will fight our battles, supply our needs, calm our fears, frustrations, anxieties, worries about the future, comfort those mourning loved ones, protect our families, keep sickness at bay, restore our health, and uplift our spirits.

But he is also eager to protect us spiritually by filling our hearts with joy, our bellies with laughter, and our minds with peace. We can seek this protection through daily prayer, devotion, reading and meditating on his words.

God is aware that it is a privilege for someone to put their trust in another person. That is why he longs for us to put our trust in him and not in our human efforts. Yes, it will be hard. It is vulnerable and scary. But if we allow him, he will shew himself to be faithful.