“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Psalm 46:1-2). “In You, our fathers trusted; they trusted, and You delivered them; they cried to You, and were saved; in You they trusted, and were not ashamed” (Psalm 22:5-6). “O Lord, You are our dwelling place in all generations” (Psalm 90:1). With this divine armor, our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, found safety, as it is recorded, “He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, He reproved kings for their sakes” (1 Chronicles 16:21). Under this protective shield, Joseph was safeguarded, both in spirit and body, untouched by the arrows of temptation and hardship that were directed at him. Likewise, Israel was preserved under this shield when leaving Egypt, defended from their oppressor Pharaoh as well as from the enemies they encountered on their journey, maintained under this divine cover from numerous adversaries while living in the promised land. “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” let Israel now declare, “if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, they would have swallowed us alive; when their anger was kindled against us, the waters would have overwhelmed us” (Psalm 124:1-4). King David of Israel successfully stood against all of his adversaries, declaring, “All nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord, I will destroy them; they surrounded me, they encircled me like bees; they blazed like a fire among thorns, but in the name of the Lord, I will destroy them” (Psalm 118:10-12). The prophets, apostles, saints, martyrs, monks, and all those who have delighted the Lord throughout history have found preservation under it. They remained steadfast through various trials and tribulations. Today, genuine Christians take refuge in this trustworthy and invincible shield, and faced with their enemies, they courageously sing, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46:1, 7). “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32). St. Paul, a devoted servant of God, triumphed over the powers of hell and the forces of darkness. Dear Christian, Satan and all malevolent spirits harbor an unyielding wrath against humanity, particularly against faithful Christians. Like predatory beasts under the cover of night, they lurk invisibly, assailing in various ways, seeking to annihilate us either personally or through false brethren and other wicked individuals employed by them. Who could withstand their accusations and assaults without the Lord's protection through the shield of His goodness and the refuge of His loving care? Truly, one would perish in an instant. Indeed, what David proclaimed concerning ancient Israel—their defense and safeguarding—“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side...they would have swallowed us alive; the waters would have overwhelmed us” (Psalm 124:1-4)—also applies to the new Israel, the Christians. Verily, the living would have been consumed by our adversaries if God had not been with us to uphold us. “Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth” (Psalm 124:6). Thus, we recognize how futile it is to place hope in anything other than God. The support of any individual is unreliable, and every earthly protector is a false shield. Thus, forsaking all else, we turn to this assured and impenetrable shield. “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man; It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes” (Psalm 118:8-9). While some may rely on clever words, others on riches, social status, or the favor of the influential, all these are ultimately false and fragile defenses. Their trust will ultimately disappoint them. We shall stand firm in the name of the Lord and shall not be put to shame. Behold, Christian, remain devoted to God, for the name of the Lord will guard you against all adversarial accusations. “I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:1-2). “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me” (Psalm 23:4). “You are my strength when I am in trouble; deliver me from those surrounding me” (Psalm 31:7). “You are my help and my song; to You, my God, I will sing praises” (Psalm 28:7). When a Christian dwells in the grace of God and under the protection of the Most High, even if all wicked people, darkness, the world, and all of hell rise against him, accompanied by every trouble and calamity, he will not be overcome. For God is mightier than all; with His almighty hand, He upholds, protects, and preserves him. Fear not, O devout and God-fearing soul. “He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the pestilence. He will cover you under His wings, and you shall trust in His faithfulness. You will not fear the terror by night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you” (Psalm 91:3-7). This is the lesson of the entire psalm.
THEOSIS