Last Friday, May 6, my uncle, Norris Highby, died. He was 98 and had lived a long and full life.
One story shared at his funeral stands out. During World War II, Norris served in North Africa and Anzio, Italy, with Field Artillery Unit #916 of the 91st Infantry Division. Before heading into battle, the men were encouraged by General Mark Clark. Still, more than a few men in Norris’s unit were worried and afraid. Norris tried to find words of comfort for his men, but nothing came to mind. Then, Norris said he heard a voice saying, “You are in the 91st division. Read Psalm 91.” And so he took out his army Bible and read this remarkable Psalm.
Psalm 91 (New King James Version)
Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
4 He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
8 Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10 No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
12 In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”