Psalms 91 Part Three

The Protection and Reward of the Christian

Who Dwells with God

 Psalms 91:14-16

 

 By Michael K. Farrar, O.D. © God’s Breath Publications

 

One thing for sure in the lives we lead, we will have hardships, trials and struggles. These will occur because we live in a world twisted by the sin of mankind, because evil people wish to do wicked things to us and because we often make bad decisions that bring us serious trouble. We all know the phone number we call when we are facing a dire emergency. We phone 911. I would like to suggest to you that when you face such a horrible tragedy you also consider reading Psalm 91:1 and the verses that follow. In this three part series let’s see what we can discover about our God and ourselves when we face a storm of life.

 

Main Point

The Christian who loves their Heavenly Father will be delivered and rewarded for their commitment and obedience, because God is always present no matter what the obstacle, trial or struggle.

 

Psalms 91:14-16

“Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. “With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation.”

 

Here in these verses God reveals three critical dimensions of “dwelling” in His presence. Dwelling in God’s presence means we love Him. Matthew 22:37 tells us how we are to love God when it says, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ Luke 10:27 also records this as well. This has always been the ultimate commandment of priority in God’s Word. It is found in the Old Testament and verified by Jesus in the New Testament. Any vibrant and intimate relationship has love as its core focus. God desires for us to love Him as He loves us. When we love Him in this manner we intimately “dwell” in His presence. Because of this love and dedication God will protect us from harm and deliver us from trials. Not only will He protect and deliver us, but He will also place us out of harms way and prosper us as well.

 

Dutch theologian Abraham Kuyper wrote that there is a similarity between the structure of a person and the structure of the tabernacle in the Old Testament which was divided into three compartments. There was the outer court, where everyone had access. Likewise, there is a public you. You too have an outer court, which is you when you to work, go shopping or play sports. This is your image and everyone sees this part of you. In the tabernacle there was also an inner chamber called the Holy Place. Not everyone had access to this area and most were not allowed in. You also have a holy place where you only allow certain people to enter such as friends and family. Then there is one more chamber in the Tabernacle called the Holy of Holies. This was carefully guarded and was the most sacred of places. It was entered only by the chief priest and there was room for only the priest and God. In us there is a holy of holies as well. A place inside us where only God is allowed and no other human being can come.

 

When we love God deeply our entire being is relating to Him, especially within our “holy of holies.” Our Heavenly Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit all commune with us in this deepest part of our being when we dwell in the presence of God.

 

Another critical dimension of dwelling in the presence of God is when we know Him intimately in our love relationship with Him. We begin to know and experience the meaning of the many names of God which reflect His character and person. There are over 170 names for God in the Bible and each has a specific meaning and reference to His character and person. He is immensely complex, yet is able to relate to us in extremely intimate and caring ways because He is perfect in His ability to love us at the deepest core of our being. While we may not know each of His various names, we do experience them in our relationship with Him. He is a protector, healer, provider, deliverer, savior to mention only a very few. These names are revealed in scripture and they are expressed upon us as we live in a close relationship with Him. The more we dwell in His presence the more opportunities we have of knowing and experiencing His various names.

 

A third dimension we have of dwelling in the presence of God is when we pray to Him. This is a holy practice that allows us to share our needs, praise God for who He is and ask Him to intervene in the lives of others. Any relationship requires communication if it is to grow in depth and intimacy. Prayer is our way as a child of God to become more intimate with Him. As we share our innermost thoughts and feelings in our prayers to Him, we allow ourselves to be exposed to ministry from Him. We open up and allow Him to minister to us, to comfort us, convict us, teach us and call us to ministry for Him.

 

As we dedicate and commit ourselves to loving God, knowing Him and praying to Him, we receive benefits from a deeply expanding relationship. Psalms 91 mentions at least six things that result from dwelling in the presence of God.

 

First is answered prayer. As we pray to our Heavenly Father we receive answers to our prayers. Sometimes they are not always the answers we desire, but God always answers our prayers. Sometimes He does not answer when we wish, but there is a godly reason behind such delay in an answer.

 

Secondly we know God is with us in trouble. He is right by our side. Sometimes we sense this and other times we do not. But whether we feel His presence or not, we know scripture tells us that He is close by, watching all we do and knowing about every single thing that happens to us. He also knows exactly how we feel and think and so He can minister to us perfectly even if we aren’t aware of such needs. What a great God who can know us so well He can provide for us when we don’t even really know what would be best for us.

 

Thirdly He will deliver us from situations that would endanger us and do us harm. He may allow trials to strengthen us and build our faith but this is always in our best interest. His deliverance comes at His perfect timing for our own good and well-being.

 

Fourthly we receive honor from God for dwelling in His presence. Because of our obedience, patience and trust in Him, He honors us. Honor comes in how He blesses us with both spiritual and physical blessings as well. Honor from the Lord is very precious because His favor and honor is of such value to us.

 

Fifthly we receive a longer life when we dwell with Him intimately. Longer life is always received when we obey and walk according to God’s instruction. It keeps us from unwise choices and dark paths. It preserves the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of who we are as people. But God is the one who sustains us each day. He is the One that grants us each breath and heart beat. When we dwell with Him He lengthens our life according to His will and perfect plan.

 

Sixthly, we have an assurance of our salvation when we walk closely with the Lord as we dwell close to Him. Salvation is more than an event that takes place in our live in the past. It has aspects of a past even, but also of a present experience and a future hope. Salvation also includes the completion of the sanctification process that we live out in this earthly life and the receiving of a glorified body when we reach Heaven. Dwelling with God intimately assures us that our salvation will come to completion.

 

Psalms 91 assures us that there are numerous rewards for us when we dwell in the presence of our God. We receive protection, security, safety, provision as well as peace, rest, strength and courage. The writer of this Psalm expresses great emotion using very descriptive imagery to communicate the intense situations we can be protected from in the life we lead here on earth. He also describes in great detail the magnificent and powerful abilities God has to protect us as well as the vast army of angels that He sends to minister to us because they serve our Heavenly Father. Psalms 91 also suggests that if trouble does come, God is close by our side. He will grant us privileges, honor and strength if we endure with His empowerment.

 

While it is important to daily dwell closely with the Lord to be assured of protection and provision, it is also a deeply comforting and enjoyable experience to call our God a close empathetic Friend as well as our Lord and Master. May we all seek to dwell in His presence.

 

Psalms 4:8

 “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

  

Psalms 23:4

 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalms 31:14-16

 “But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.”