Day 131 - Be Like a Palm Tree

Daily Reading:  Psalm 91-93

He who 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 91:1-2

Footnote:

God is a shelter, a refuge when we are afraid.  The writer's faith in the Almighty God as Protector would carry him through all the dangers and fears of life.  This should be a picture of our trust -- trading all our fears for faith in him, no matter how intense our fears.  To do this we must "dwell" and "rest" with him.  By entrusting ourselves to his protection and pledging our daily devotion to him, we will be kept safe.

For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

Psalm 91:11-12

Footnote:

One of the functions of angels is to watch over believers (Hebrews 1:14).  There are examples of guardian angels in Scripture (1 Kings 19:5; Daniel 6:22, Matthew 18:10, Luke 16:22; Acts 12:7), although there is no indication that one angel is assigned to each believer.  Angels can also be God's messengers (Matthew 2:13; Acts 27:23,24).  Angels are not visible, except on special occasions (Numbers 22:31; Luke 2:9).  Verses 11 and 12 were quoted by Satan when he tempted Jesus (Matthew 4:6; Luke 4:10,11).  It is comforting to know that God watches over us even in times of great stress and fear.

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,

they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;

planted in the house of the Lord,

they will flourish in the courts of our God.

Psalm 91:12,13

Palm trees are known for their long life.  To flourish like palm trees means to stand tall and to live long.  The cedars of Lebanon grew to 120 feet in height and up to 30 feet in circumference; thus, they were solid, strong, and immovable.  The psalmist saw believers as upright, strong, and unmoved by the winds of circumstance.  Those who place their faith firmly in God can have this strength and vitality.

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All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV