First Sunday in Lent: Psalm, Psalm 91:1-13                      

Psalm 91:1-13

This first week of the wonderful season of Lent finds the Psalm directly connected to the gospel. A bit unusual. In the gospel we will find Jesus being tempted to jump from the pinnacle of the temple in Luke 4. And the serpentine one uses a piece of the week’s psalm to prod the Messiah from safety, “For he will command his angels concerning you …” (v. 11). Hisssssssss. “Go ahead, Jesus. Step off. Angels are at the ready.”

The enemy of Jesus chides Him with a divine promise. The promise is good. But God’s promises are good when used by God and His people in the way God intends. Does the Son of God need protection? Interesting question. Perhaps better is, do we see the dependence of the Son on the Father? That is always answered with a resounding “yes.”

This precious season gives us an opportunity to reflect. Sinners need a Savior. Children need their Father. Everyone needs the promise of God and the God of promise. As Jesus, the Son was and is in the Father’s hands, so are we.

Blessed Lent.