The message in Psalm 91

Pastor Arnie Wyllie

Where would you go to find dependable help these days? You could look in the South Peace News to see if anyone is looking for the work you have to do. You could listen to CKVH. Someone might call in looking for the exact work you need to be done. Word of mouth is a good way of getting help. To get help concerning spiritual subjects, such as moral and ethical issues, the best place is our Bible - the Word of God. Are you looking for the safe path through life and eternal security? Our Bible has a great section on this called Psalm 91. Here it is: “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (2) This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. (3) For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. (4) He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. (5) Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. (6) Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. (7) Though a thousand fall at your side, though 10,000 are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. (8) Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. (9) If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, (10) no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. (11) For He will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. (12) They will hold you up with their hands so you will not even hurt your foot on a stone. (13) You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! (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 will give them my salvation.” Surveys have shown that Psalm 91 is one of the favourite Psalms of the people of God. It was found to be one of the 50 all-time favourite passages of many Christians. This is also the Psalm known by the devil and quoted by him when he tempted Christ. As with many passages and verses in the Bible, you cannot claim God’s promises unless you meet His requirements. There are conditional and unconditional promises of God found in the Bible. Promises that begin with the word ‘if’ are conditional. God promises to do something if we do something. There are some passages that are also limited to people who live a certain way. Psalm 91 is one of those Psalms containing God’s conditional promises. Remember, these are God’s conditions, not man- made restrictions. Notice the requirements of verse 1 of Psalm 91. “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” ‘Live’ means ‘inhabit’. The shelter of the Most High and the shadow of the Almighty is the presence of God, where, by faith, you would inhabit. Where do you live? This is not an occasional visit or hopeful wishing, you need to live there. The shadow of the Almighty is the place of heart where I hide, by faith, in the fellowship and will of God. Are you in personal, abiding communion with God? Notice several of God’s promises of Psalm 91. God promises refuge in verses 2-4. He promises protection from fear in verses 5-10. He promises strength in verse 7. He promises to give the help of angels in verses 11-12. Why is God so ‘selective’ about whom He helps? God’s most important means of help is when He forgives you and adopts you into His family. Forgiveness is conditional upon your whole-hearted repentance. Repentance is confession to God when you realize and acknowledge your sinfulness. The Bible says: “If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9) There is that ‘if’ again. Are you cleansed from ‘all wickedness’? Only God can do that! Only God can make you ready, willing and able to claim the promises of Psalm 91.