he Psalmist deals with Israel's need for protection because they were always in trouble. As some children need more care than others, the people of Israel needed a lot of attention. Location of their Promised Land was a main problem. They were trying to live right in the middle of the main highway between the ancient super powers of Egypt, Babylon and Persia. Looking at the maps in the back of your Bibles you can easily see that the Arabian desert extends far north in a desert peninsula and the only way for caravans to travel from east to west, or visa versa, was to go around the northern rim, called the Fertile Crescent. Israel was located in the middle of a narrow passage. On the way to fight each other, these huge armies would wipe out Israel and carry the remnant into captivity. Israel remained between a rock and a hard place.

Psalm 91 is an example of God's Guarantee of Protection of Israel amid their plight. God promises protection, shelter, refuge, and faithfulness in their trouble, destruction, pestilence and fear. "You will not fear the terror in the night." (5) "When they call to me, I will answer." (15) "I will protect those who know my name." (14)

In today's world all people live at the crossroads of potential destruction. Airplanes and missiles can fly over deserts and strike anyplace, anytime. Even America, the so called "Only Superpower," has found itself vulnerable to terroristic attack. However, God's Guarantee of protection amid terror is still in effect, and many of us who know His name and have called on Him a lot recently have found Him faithful. God's New Covenant is opened up to everyone everywhere, and if we will only call out to Him, the protection, shelter, shield and refuge remain operative.