To answer your good question, let’s begin by reading Psalm 91:9-11, “Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” 

Protection from evil (affliction, calamity) is a blessing to those who have put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ…those who have made the Lord their refuge.  We read of angels in Hebrews 1:14. That says, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”  The Lord, as He sees fit, will send His angels to minister to our needs. 

This entire psalm speaks of the Lord’s sovereign protection over his people.  No ill, no harm, no suffering can befall us without the Lord allowing it to happen.  Indeed, all believers are in the loving hands of the Lord, and nothing can happen to us without our loving Father permitting it.  Why, then, would the Lord allow us to suffer at any time?

CHASTENING – Revelation 3:19, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”  It is the hand of a loving Father that will discipline us when we walk contrary to His will.  This is truly an act of love so that we will learn our lesson and return to Him.  Proverbs 3:11 instructs us, “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction.” 

PREVENTIVE – 2 Corinthians 12:7, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”  The Apostle Paul had received great revelations from the Lord to share with others.  It would be quite easy for a man to be proud of such knowledge and for being used of the Lord so mightily.  To prevent that from happening to Paul, the Lord gave him a “thorn in the flesh” lest he should be “exalted above measure.”  Paul was not being punished, the Lord was taking preventative measures for him. 

TEACHING – Philippians 4:11-12, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”  There were times when Paul had plenty, but there were also times when he lacked in provision.  From these experiences, he learned contentment.  He learned to be happy with whatever the Lord provided for him.  This type of lesson must be learned experimentally, so the Lord allowed Paul to go through these different experiences so that he might learn this valuable lesson.

These are but a few examples, and there are many more.  But we should also be sure that we do not abuse the blessed provision and protection from the Lord.  Satan quoted Psalm 91:11 to the Lord Jesus to tempt Him to disobey God.  Let’s read of that incident in Matthew 4:5-6, “Then the devil taketh him (Jesus) up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.”  The devil, seeking to cause the Lord Jesus to sin, tempted Him to prove the validity of Psalm 91:11.  It was as if Satan was saying, “If you have faith that this is true, why not jump off the pinnacle of the temple and prove it?”  

The Lord Jesus, in His perfect wisdom and understanding replied in verse 7, “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”  The devil MISUSED the scriptures to try to cause the Lord Jesus to sin.  The Lord PROPERLY USED the scriptures to rebuke him.  He quoted Deuteronomy 6:16, “Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God…” For us, this lesson is simple.  The Lord has promised His protection for us but let us not tempt him by living foolishly and risking our health and lives in disregard of intelligence and common sense. (CC) (571.2)