The Strength of the Deliverer
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place- the Most High, who is my refuge-
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
14 "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."
God confronts our greatest fears by letting us see how big He is.
This passage envisions comprehensive protection in a world full of fears, full of danger.
The People he delivers
The blessings of God’s covenant—including the protection promised in Psalm 91—come only to those who trust in God.
God has provided a Shelter for sinners: Jesus Christ.
Sinners hide in Christ and are shielded from our greatest
fear—namely the just wrath of God.
Descriptions of God’s People in Verses 14-16
They hold fast to God in love. (V14)
They know God’s name. (V14)
They call to God. (V15)
God is with them in trouble. (V15)
They are rescued by God. (V15)
They are honored by God. (V15)
They are satisfied by God. (V16)
They are shown God’s salvation. (V16)
The Nature of deliverance
This protection doesn’t mean a trouble-free life.
“Abraham ... was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God... These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:10, 13-16)
Your best life comes later, but it lasts forever.
This is your security amid the perils of this world. You are loved by God!
“You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.” (Luke 21:16-19)
Sometimes, in his mercy, God rescues us from suffering. l Sometimes, in his mercy, God rescues us in suffering.
In a little while, God will rescue us from all suffering.
[here are] two ways of saying, “Don’t be afraid.” One is as an edict to be obeyed, in which case it is a peculiar edict. It sounds like the king actually cares about us. He isn’t ordering us to make bricks without straw. Instead, it sound as if he wants his people to know peace. So, even when seen as an authoritative command, this reveals something lovely about God.... This is the most severe way to understand ‘Do not be afraid.’ Here is the other way: ‘[Jesus said], ]Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.’ (Luke 12:32).... No one inserts “little flock” into an inviolable command. No king talks about being “pleased” to give anything, let alone the kingdom itself, to his subjects. Jesus is invoking kingly imagery, indeed. But the One who sits on the throne is a Father, and that changes everything.” Ed Welch, Running Scared, 65
Jesus is the Shelter of the Most High, Jesus has conquered death, and Jesus will never leave us.
Thanks Matt!
No comments:
Post a Comment