RETURN OF DRIFTING SAINTS: The Elephant In The Room in 'Psalm 91'

The theme for this week’s Devotional is Return of Drifting Saints. Prior to Covid the American Church saw a drop in attendance. Post Covid and the pandemic has kept a sizeable number of saints away from church. Our Devotional team shares testimonies and encouragement from God’s Word to stir up the return of love and good works.

There is the return of 'the drifting saints', and there's the return of the drifting 'aints', and the distinction is crucial because the latter need not resume church membership as much as they need to be presented with the gospel. They, despite Bibles, church vernacular, befitting customs, civility, and a good paint job are the 'five foolish virgins', they are part of the fields white for the harvest. They need the gospel. They may have been observed across the nursery years, and the primary church years [maybe even got wet] to garner a certain affection and sympathy, but... a Christian, much like a zebra, boasts certain stripes, without which the fair question should be raised. 'Where you at?' There is a message of love for these, but it has edges, and can be a bit abrasive.
 
'Where you at?' When your bowl of oatmeal has some raisins seemingly with legs, you wanna pause. Belonging, assumes being, and being expects becoming! 'Where you at?' When your loved one is embarrassed to offer the saying of grace, as they were raised to, before the meal... 'Hey! Where you at?'

We see in Psalm 91 richly both of God's generalized and personalized providence, and mercy. The verses numbering one through six highlight the promises afforded that one who dwells and abides. That benefit posits a God who is trustworthy, by whom we have home and sanctuary, by whom we have cover and defense, assuming an unfriendly world. Given a 'where' and a 'when' for the need of a sure shield and buckler, we have His truth! Fear is diminished in the face of the fearsome, be they hid or outright! God does this!

We shall not be ultimately dissuaded by evil, or its minions, having according to this Psalm, angels to keep watch over us, to defend us from that which is invisible and desirous of our stumbling. We shall be upheld and kept by the grace of God! So says verses nine through twelve. We shall be by His power strengthened to withstand, and even bring to submission those likened to lions, and cobras, and young lions, and dragons...Hallelujah! And then there is the flowering of His grace towards us in verses fourteen through sixteen, culminating in deliverance, and With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. For those who have made the LORD their habitation, for those accepting of His mercy as He has given it, for those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, such should be the expectation! Amen!

Immersion characterizes the blessed of God, whose abiding affords them such a nurturing relationship and protective experiencing of God. Transformation characterizes these ones. In Christ, they are a new creation. But what of the many who are church members? What of those who are, and perhaps repeatedly are adrift? From Psalm 91, it may arguably be stated that these benefits do not apply, especially on review of verses seven and eight. Right in the guts of Psalm 91 is this shift, declaring an outcome of falling, attached to the label of being wicked. The 'it' of these verses skips the righteous, but hits the others, whom if we look carefully, we see them as yet to be redeemed.

"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee." The 'it' is summarily all the adversities aforementioned, but who makes up the many brought to fall?  When the Bible mentions something or someone at your side, it is thought to be familiar, intimate with you, and if nigh the right hand it is integral with the best of who you are and what you stand for. These thousands are acquaintances, friends, family, brothers, sisters, children, neighbors, spouses, co-workers, classmates, teammates, frat-brothers and sorors, and the like, even fellow pew doers. See them and recognize that only with your eyes shall you look and see the reward of the wicked. And weep. And pray. And move, for the sake of these. Consider the enough-ness of God, and move on these. These are our 'Jerusalem' and our 'Samaria'. Bless God. Bless Jesus. Bless Jehovah Jireh. Bless, in the majesty of His Name.

PRAYER: In this special season, approaching Advent, and appreciating Thanksgiving, LORD-GOD, in Jesus Name, help us to fight the good fight of faithfulness, upon Your faithfulness towards us all! Amen and Hallelujah! May there be genuine restoration for those adrift, and may the personal open-door You present before each of us be duly noted, and entered, that some 'one' may discover [or rediscover] that life in Christ awaiting them. Let us each hold fast the word of life to Your Glory Jesus. Call upon Him. Do well by Him. See the 'increase'! Glory to God. Amen!
By Bro. McNeal Brockington