The Midrash states that Psalm 91 was composed by Moses on the day he completed the building of the Tabernacle in the desert. The verses describe Moses’ own experience entering the Tabernacle and being enveloped by the Divine cloud. Midrash Tehillim and Zohar teach that Moses composed this psalm while ascending into the cloud hovering over Mount Sinai, at which time he recited these words as protection from the angels of destruction. In Jewish thought, Psalm 91 conveys the themes of God’s protection and rescue from danger. Modern-day Christians see the psalm as a source of comfort and protection, even in times of suffering. – Wikipedia
Artist Ben Keller stands in front of his latest mural, inspired and based on Michelangelo’s painting of the hands of God and Adam in the Sistine Chapel, on the building next to Cafemantic Tuesday, May 19, 2020, in Willimantic. Keller, who wanted to express a concept that would resonate with the times, wrote on his Facebook page describing the mural: “This mural is for the present. While we need to keep distance from each other, we can’t help but naturally crave touch or physical interaction. Humanity was not designed to be distanced. One encouraging message to keep in mind, referencing Michelangelo’s original work – God is never too far away for us to cling to. Perhaps this is our Genesis of a new era. The story is yet to be told.” © Kassi Jackson/The Hartford Courant/Hartford Courant/TNS Willimantic.
Below is the artist and his creation.
At the time of Ben’s painting the tragic death of George Lloyd had yet taken place. Though we find ourselves engulfed in tumultuous times the One ray of hope that keeps a society from falling into despair is the knowledge of and faith in God who is never further from us than the desire for His love, protection and deliverance.
Assurance of God’s Protection
91
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High,
who abides in the shadow of the Almighty,
2
will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust.”
3
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence;
4
he will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5
You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand;
but it will not come near you.
8
You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.
9
Because you have made the Lord your refuge,[a]
the Most High your habitation,
10
no evil shall befall you,
no scourge come near your tent.
11
For he will give his angels charge of you
to guard you in all your ways.
12
On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13
You will tread on the lion and the adder,
the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.
14
Because he cleaves to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15
When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will rescue him and honor him.
16
With long life I will satisfy him,
and show him my salvation.
Although thousands of years separate Moses and Ben, each finds himself a servant of God providing a channel for Divine Assurance.
CROSSROADS-Right Choices 