Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 91

The world we live in is a dangerous place. As witnessed just last week, violence can strike at a moment’s notice, even at a simple music concert. Sickness lurks at the door for each of us; we are one check-up away from a scary diagnosis. Even driving a car can kill you. During the Vietnam War, more Americans died each year in car accidents, than died in combat for the duration of the war. That’s crazy. It’s more dangerous to drive to work then it was to fight in the Vietnam War. Everyday life is scary. Yet, over and over scripture tells us to not be afraid. Psalm 91 explains why not.

Psalm 91:1-2
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 90 spoke of dwelling in God. Psalm 91 tells us that if we dwell in His shelter, then we live in His shadow. What happens to those who live in His shadow?

Psalm 91:3-10
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.  You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,  nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.  You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.  Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge—  no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.

Wow! That’s some strong language and it makes some strong promises. It gets better.

Psalm 91:11-13
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.  On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.  You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

If we dwell in God, He commands His angels to guard us in all ways. God is the commander of a great army. But the real battle being fought in our lives is spiritual in nature. Ephesians 6:12 is clear, “Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.” It is not death or dismemberment from an accident that we should be concerned with. It is the battle for our souls and concern for the place of our eternity, that must be where our fear is directed. Psalm 91 ends with God speaking to us.

Psalm 91:14-16
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.  When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Our salvation is secure if we abide in Christ. As Psalm 91 describes a dangerous world, it should remind us that we must have our eternal security locked down as we traverse this life. Jesus is that answer.

I also believe that God does watch over us in a physical way and that He does have angels protect us. Yet, it is likely some of those who perished last week in Las Vegas were Christians. What happened? Simple; God took them home to be with Him.

What about those injured? The answer to that is also simple. It is found in Romans 8:28:

 
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

God is causing and allowing things we do not understand, to work together for good for His people. But it is for His purpose, not ours. This life is not about us, but it is about Him. Christians until you believe God’s Word, you will not find the complete peace He wants you to have in this life. This is called faith. What is faith?

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The promises of Psalm 91 are real. If you dwell in the shelter of the Most High, then you are safe. He will show you His salvation.

He is calling you this very day. The door to His dwelling place is open. It is the only safe place to be.

Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 57

Trying to live this life without God is an exercise of futility. We can see that in the way the people of the world live. They run around in a constant rush, looking for that one thing that brings contentment. Yet it clearly eludes them. Like David, our lives are fraught with danger and difficulty. We need Jesus. But to simply say you are a Christian and yet, to not be in constant relationship with Him, is to be just like the world. Prayer must be the air we breathe. We must, as David does in the Psalms, call out to God.

Psalm 57:1-4

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.  I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.  He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!  My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts— the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

We must humble ourselves before Him.

Psalm 57:5
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!

We must exalt God to the position of sovereign creator, who is in control of the earth. We must pray that it is God who is glorified and not ourselves or those around us.

Psalm 57:6
They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah

The world is like a booby-trap waiting for us to stumble into. But we have a shepherd and He will lead us through the minefields of life if we follow Him.     As we pray, we must praise God.

Psalm 57:7-9
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!  Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!  I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.

Why can we praise Him? David knows.

Psalm 57:10
For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

As we pray, we must come to Him as a child, completely dependent on Him to lead us. Then we must remember that is God who deserves all the glory.

Psalm 57:11
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!