Mar 22 (Daily reading: Deuteronomy 32-34; Psalm 91) The older I get, the more I wake up with an old hymn in my mind and heart, sometimes one I haven’t thought of in years. Music that has been “engraved upon our hearts” will always be a blessing to us. Moses composed a very poetic song in 32:1-43. It began by proclaiming the name of the Lord, our Rock, and glorifying His greatness, His faithfulness, and His righteousness (vv. 3-4). The song compared God to other gods: “Indeed, their rock is not like our Rock … there is no god besides Me” (vv. 31, 39). It ended with rejoicing because of the promise of atonement (taking away the sins) of the people (v.43). Moses said, “Take to heart all the words (of this song)” (v. 45). May the music that is in our hearts lead us to worship, which includes obedience and praise!
I looked in the Baptist Hymnal and found a hymn that is based on Psalm 91. Its title is, very appropriately, “I Will Not Be Afraid.” Take some time to “engrave” Psalm 91 on your heart. It presents several images of God that encourage us in difficult times, such as a refuge and fortress, in whom we trust (v. 2); as a mother bird who protects her young under her wings (v. 4); as a faithful protector from the terror and destruction that may come upon us (v. 4); as a dwelling place, where no evil will happen to us (v. 9-10). The psalm ends with assurances from God: “Because he has loved Me, I will save him; I will set Him securely on high, because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. I will satisfy him with a long life, and show him My salvation” (vv. 14-16).
“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD” (Ps. 95:1).
– Al Gary
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