Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling (Psalm 91:9-10 NKJV)

The promise of divine protection is endless. We, again, find the names of God in verse nine – the LORD (Yahweh) and Most High (El Elyon). Because you make the most holy God, who is ever present and all-sufficient your hiding place and the Most High your habitation and place of safety, you are secure. As you make your home with Him, you are shut in by Him and no evil plan of the enemy will be successful against you. No sadness or life-threatening disease can find you in God’s embrace.

In the Old Testament, God provided six cities of refuge to the Israelites. If they were guilty of unintentional killing, they could go to these cities and be kept safe. This was not for intentional, pre-meditated killings. Likewise, Jesus is our city of refuge as He keeps us safe and protected from harm’s way, but what makes Him better than the cities of refuge is that He keeps us safe and protected in spite of our wrong-doings.

As you make God your dwelling place where you abide, no sickness can come near God and therefore no sickness shall come near you as you remain in Him.

The Message translation says it like this:

Yes, because God’s your refuge, the High God your very own home, Evil can’t get close to you, harm can’t get through the door.

Do not let the arrows that fly around you and the circumstances you see take your eyes off this truth. See yourself hidden and shut in Christ Jesus and when you hear bad reports, declare: No evil shall befall me, nor shall any plague come near my dwelling because I am in Christ and He loves me.

Maretha Retief

Illustration credit: Jeanne de Villiers