When I set down to write last week’s blog, I fully intended to write about today’s topic. But as I was writing the introductory material, I obviously got carried away because the introduction became last week’s blog itself. So with that in mind, even though this post has a different title, welcome to part two of last week’s message. A review of “What is Truth?” found at www.meetpastordan.com would still be a good introduction for today’s presentation. Feel free to peruse it.
When I think of people who are not familiar with the Bible and its content, I feel saddened for them. The Bible is a treasure-trove of history, enlightenment and hope, but first one has to open the book to experience the many blessings contained therein. And each experience is a personal experience. In other words, the Bible speaks to each of us in a unique way depending on where we are in our journey as a Christ-follower. Ten people can read the same chapter of the Bible and it will speak to each of them in a different way. But make no mistake…each person will glean from the experience what they need at the time in order to continue their growth into a mature follower of Jesus Christ.
The Bible reveals to us God’s nature, which can be summed up in three words: “God is love.”(1John, 4:8) His love is demonstrated by his forgiveness, mercy and grace; his desire to protect us; his desire to bless us; and his salvation plan through Jesus Christ so we can spend eternity with Him, Jesus and all other believers…past, present and future.
I now would like to turn to one of my favorite passages, Psalm 91. This is only one of literally hundreds of gems that reveal God’s love, mercy, grace and promises. This alone is a bastion of hope for anyone. (It was originally written in the second person [you], but I am presenting it in the first person [I] to make it even more personal. The bold face words are also my editing.)
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High, will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Verse 1 shows intent and effect. Those who live (some versions say “dwell”) reveals a commitment to developing a relationship as opposed to an occasional visit. It indicates a hunger to be in the presence of God because we realize we are in the process of transformation. It brings to life John 15:4, “Abide (remain) in me and I will abide in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine…” Rest refers to the peace and serenity that can only come from a committed relationship with God. In Romans 12:2 Apostle Paul refers to His plan for our life as a “good, pleasing and perfect plan.”
2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him.
Verse 2 reveals my awareness of the truth. He alone indicates my realization that there is NO other true refuge or place of safety. The worldly offerings pale by comparison. He is not only God, but he is my God, so the more this relationship grows the more my trust (faith) in Him grows. This is how we become the person God created us to be.
3 For he will rescue me from every trap and protect me from deadly plague. 4He will cover me with his feathers. He will shelter me with his wings. His faithful promises are my armor and protection.
God’s word is filled with promises. He will rescue me; protect me; cover me and shelter me. As I grow in my relationship with God, I begin to realize I can stand on these promises because His Word is true. And it is these promises that become my armor and protection against the lustful desires of my flesh; the temptations of the world; and the wiles of the Enemy.
5 I I will not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. 6 I will not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at my side, though ten thousand are dying around me, these evils will not touch me.
8 I will open my eyes and see how the wicked are punished.
God is telling me unequivocally that he is my protector. As long as I stand on the truth of His Word, others around me may succumb to the enemy’s lies and deception, but His Word will keep me ”standing firm after the battle.” (Ephesians 6:13) When I see others snared in Satan’s trap, my faith becomes even stronger because I see the truth of His word coming alive. He IS my protector!
9 If I make the Lord my refuge, if I make the Most High my shelter, 10 no evil will conquer me; no plague will come near my home.
As we begin the second section of this Psalm, David reiterates two of God’s promises: “no evil will conquer me” and “no plague will come near my home.” But now he predicates it on my role in the process: “If I”. All of these promises come only to those who have engaged in the process, which begins with accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. If I accept God’s Gift of Grace, I am in Christ and therefore heir to “all the spiritual blessings in the heavenly realm” (Ephesians 1:3) and “all of God’s promises in the Bible.” (Ephesians 1:13-14)
11 For He will order his angels to protect me wherever I go. 12 They will hold me up with their hands so I won’t even hurt my foot on a stone. 13 I will trample upon lions and cobras; I will crush fierce lions and serpents under my feet!
God even tells me in verse 11 and 12 that he will put a hedge of protection around me to protect me from the Enemy, familiar spirits (sorcerer’s servants ready to obey their command, i.e. to contact the dead) and demonic spirits. In verse 13, He tells me I will be empowered to trample and crush the metaphoric lions, cobras, lions and serpents we all will face at one time or another. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, I am already promised victory in this fallen world. 1John 4:4 tells us, “He that is in me (the Holy Spirit) is greater than he (satan) that is in this world.” The enemy was defeated 2000 years ago!
14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.
16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
The last section of Psalm 91 is a recap of God’s promises. Notice there are six “I will” statements. Not “I might”; or “perhaps” or “maybe I will” but “I will”! These are the promises of a loving God who wants a relationship – an eternal relationship with me. Not only do I have his promises, but in verse 16 he says he will reward me with a long life here on this earth as well as eternal life with Him in Paradise. But as a Christ-follower, I can begin experiencing His Kingdom right here, right now because I have the power of the Holy Spirit to empower me to become the person God created me to be. I can now become his “masterpiece” (Ephesians 2:10) because I am in Christ.
How absolutely awesome is this Psalm? And as I stated in an earlier paragraph, it is just one example of literally hundreds of hope-filled, awe-inspiring scriptures found in His Word. Reading the Bible is like peeling an onion. With each layer you peel away, there are more layers underneath. But this was God’s way of revealing himself to mankind, so everything we need to know about Him and about our life can be found throughout the pages. To reiterate what I wrote last week, 2Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.”
If you are not familiar with His Word, I wholeheartedly encourage you to delve into this treasure-trove of wisdom and truth. If you will accept this invitation with an open-mind and a desire to seek the truth, I know God will meet you wherever you are and guide you down the appropriate path. My promise to you is…your life will never be the same. But what a Glorious life you will find!
What do you think of Psalm 91? Feel free to give feedback.
May God Bless Ya…
Dan Presgrave (a.k.a. Pastor Dan)
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