God is Our Refuge

 Psalm 91

Meditate Psalm 91 Outline:

I. God is our refuge ( verses 1-2)

II. God will protect His people (verses 3-13)

III. God’s people have a relationship with Him (verses 14-16)

I. God is our refuge ( verses1-2)

Discussion Questions

●What does it mean to dwell in the shelter of the Most High?

●In what way is God our refuge?

●What difficulties are we facing now that we can trust God to help us with?

●What will we do differently in the face of these difficulties if we are trusting in God?

Cross-References Verses

Psalm 119:114 – You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.

Psalm 27:5 – For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. [¹tent is the Word ; ²rock is the Christ ; ³his shelter is his being]

Psalm 9:10 – And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. 

Psalm 91 : Verse by Verse Meditation 

Verse 1. Dwells in the shelter of the Most High – God is a shelter. He Himself is a protection from many evils in the world. We see throughout the Bible that God offers supernatural protection and help to His people. Daniel’s three friends were in the middle of the fire and not burned. David went up against Goliath and won. The Jews in Egypt were delivered from Pharaoh and his armies.

However, not every person receives God’s protection. He does not shelter everyone. Only the person who dwells with Him receives this protection. The word “dwell” denotes living. A person chooses where to live. When choosing a house, people look at the schools, transportation, taxes, price, etc. Finally they make a decision, and generally they will stay in that location. In a similar manner, people choose spiritually where to live. They can choose to live in God’s kingdom and obey His authority or they can choose to live in this world, in the realm of Satan. Dwelling in this world apart from God is easier in some respects. A person can do whatever he/ she wants. He doesn’t need to give up anything. But the person who dwells in this world without God is on his own. When trouble comes, he has to face it alone, depending on his own strength and intelligence.

Believers choose to make God’s kingdom as their dwelling place. John describes this in a similar way.

A follower of Jesus chooses to abide with Him. We submit ourselves to His authority. We trust in His goodness and power. We give up things in the world and pursue the things of God. In return, He gives us His protection and care. We can live within the walls of His castle, which nothing can break.

Application: Where have you chosen to dwell? Are you abiding in Christ or enjoying the things of this world? Do you try to keep one foot in the world and the other foot in God’s kingdom? Is there something you need to give up in your life so that you can plant both feet firmly in God’s kingdom?

Verse 2. In whom I trust – Psalm 91 is a wonderful depiction of God’s love and care for His people. But in this chapter we are not devoid of responsibility. Our job is fairly simple, but not easy. Our role is to trust in Him completely, to cast all our worries and fears to Him.

The United State’s currency has the phrase “In God We Trust” printed on it. But one can quickly see that for most people it is not true. Merely saying the words as a tradition or habit is not enough. Trusting God is a lifestyle. It is making decisions that please God without fear of the consequences, knowing that He will take care of you.

Application: Is there an area of our life that is filled with stress or worry that we need to take to God and entrust to Him? If we truly trust God in this, how will it affect our actions and attitude?

II. God will protect His people (verses 3-13)

Discussion Questions

●What does this passage teach us about God?

●What do we learn about what God will do for His people?

●What kind of situation may the author have been facing when he wrote this Psalm?

●In this passage most of the “work” is done by God. What specific things are His followers to do (or not do)?

●How can we understand the statements about God’s protection in this passage?

●Will a believer never suffer disease, death, or danger? Defend your answer.

●What cases can we see in the Bible where a faithful follower of God did suffer from war, disease, or other dangers?

●If faithful followers of God may still become infected or be injured or fall in war, then is this passage still comforting? How?

●What condition is seen in verse 9 if a person wants God’s protection?

●What then does this imply about one possible reason for suffering?

●Who does God send on our behalf ( verses 11-12)?

●Who quoted this passage in the New Testament (Satan)?

●What wrong application did Satan encourage Jesus to make based on this passage?

●What is a wrong application of the fact that God protects His children?

●What is the correct application of this principle?

Cross-References Verses

Exodus 23:25-26 – You shall serve the Lord your God, and he will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from among you. None shall miscarry or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.

Exodus 15:26 – Saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”

Proverbs 17:22- A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Jeremiah 14:12 – Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague.

Deuteronomy 5:33 – You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.

Proverbs 10:27 – The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.

Deuteronomy 28 – In this chapter God promises to bless (in many physical ways) those who are obedient to Him and curse (in many physical ways) those who are disobedient.

Matthew 4:5-7 – Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,

and they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’

Psalm 91 : Verse by Verse Meditation

1. God’s character – In this passage we learn about God and about His character. Several of His attributes are clearly seen.

●Firstly, we that He is sovereign. God’s power extends over and above all natural and man made disasters. Natural disasters seen in this chapter include pestilence. Disease and sickness is frightening today, even in the era of modern science. It is generally true that when you don’t understand something you will fear it even more. At that time in history, people did not understand about the science behind viruses. Germs and bacteria were unknown to them. Sickness would come and kill and then leave with no warning and no explanation. But God was sovereign over these mysterious forces of nature, divinely protecting His people.

Man made disasters are also mentioned including the “snare” (verse 3), the “arrow” (verse 5) and warfare in general (verse 7). God could and would protect His people against the violence of men as well.

●Secondly, we see that God is faithful. Verse 4 says that his faithfulness is “a shield and buckler.” Trusting in people leads to disappointment. Sooner or later, even close allies and friends may let you down. But God is faithful. His promises are sure. His shield has no weaknesses or holes.

●Thirdly, we see God’s justice. Verse 8 mentions the “recompense of the wicked.” God could, in His sovereignty, direct the forces of nature or war to punish the wicked and spare the righteous. In fact, He did so on many occasions. Pharaoh’s evil army was destroyed. Abraham’s motley band of three hundred eighteen household servants defeated five kings ( cf.Genesis 14). Haman was hanged on the same gallows he built (intented) for Mordecai.

●Fourthly, we see that God is personal. He desires a personal and intimate relationship with us (verse 14.) Those who love and trust Him will receive His help. Those who call to Him will be answered. Those who abide with Him will be protected. God is not a mysterious force. He is a personal being. And He wants a relationship with us.

2. God will deliver you – Read through the passage and take note of all the things it says God will do.

¹He will deliver you (verse 3)

²He will cover you (verse 4)

³It will not come near you (verse 7)

⁴Evil shall not be allowed to befall you (verse 10)

⁵He will command his angels to guard you (verse 11)

⁶I will deliver you (verse 14)

⁷I will protect him (verse 14)

⁸I will answer him (verse 15)

⁹I will be with him (verse 15)

¹⁰I will rescue him (verse 15)

¹¹I will honor him (verse 15)

¹²I will satisfy him with long life (verse 16)

¹³I will show him my salvation (verse 16)

Next time we are feeling down, take a look at this list! God cares for and protects His people. We are His people ! Amen and Amen !

However, this brings us to a question:

3. Does God always deliver? Does God guarantee long life?

We look at this list and all the promises in this passage and we cannot help but wonder, “Does God really do that?” We all know of faithful believers who have gotten sick, who feel pain, who have perhaps even died young. Did God forget about them? Did He break His promise?

There are a few things we must consider.

●Firstly, this was written in the Old Testament. The way God worked with believers in the Old Testament is different than the way He works now. If anyone does not think so, read Deuteronomy 28. Israel was a physical kingdom. God promised physical blessings as tangible manifestations of His good pleasure on those who obeyed Him and kept the covenant. He gave military victory (even against great odds), health, and even long life to those who He was pleased with. The physical blessings were visible evidences of a spiritual reality. These blessings were designed to show the world that God is pleased with those who worship and follow Him faithfully and displeased with those who do not.

However, when the Jews rejected Jesus Christ, the Son of God as their prophecied Messiah, God began to work with His people on earth in a spiritual way through a spiritual kingdom (John 18:36). When that happened, blessings from God became primarily spiritual blessings. And physical problems or issues such as financial poverty or physical sickness or terrible persecution were not indications of God’s displeasure. Jesus Himself died at an early age of 33. Jesus Christ willing lay his life down in fulfilling the scripture, according  to the Scriptural prophecy.  That makes it clear that God does not universally promise old age longevity to those who are pleasing to Him.

●Secondly, some of God’s promises are general. The promise of old age to those who honor parents is a general promise, just as the promise of long life to the person who follows God is. God is not guaranteeing that every believer will live to a certain  'ripe' age. Even faithful believers in the Old Testament did not universally live to an old age. King Josiah was one of the best kings in the history of Judah, but died in warfare (2 Kings 23) at the age of 39.

Simply put Psalm 91:7 did not apply to Josiah (or to Jesus). Why? Because God does not and never dead promise long life to every single believer of His. It is instead a general truth for Old Testament believers that may be over ruled in specific instances to bring about a bigger plan.

●Thirdly, one aspect of the promise seen in verse 10 is that “no evil shall be allowed to befall you.” This statement goes hand in hand with the New Testament promise in Romans 8:28:

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

God will cause even seemingly bad things which happen to us to accomplish good, in our lives or others’ lives. Paul’s imprisonment seemed evil certainly. But it gave him lots of time, which he redeemed by writing epistles. We are still reading these letters today.

What is something which seemed to be bad in our life, which God caused to work together for good?

Therefore the lesson of comfort in this passage is this: Life is not random. God does not allow forces of evil to randomly harm us. Nothing can happen to us, which God has not specifically permitted in our life. If God is for me, what can man to do to me? The answer is “nothing that God does not permit.”

Here is a modern day true life event:

There was once a medic named Desmond Moss ( click here for details) who served in World War II. In the midst of a fierce battle he kept returning to Hacksaw Ridge to save other soldiers. Bullets flew all around. Every moment it seemed his life was in danger. But they didn’t hit him. He saved about seventy-five men, without even carrying a weapon.

Many people who do not believe in God, believe in evolution. It is their belief that random chances created the universe and life. Since it comes from random chance, it then follows that other random forces can destroy life. Such people live in fear. They fear acts of nature such as asteroid strikes. And they also fear man-made catastrophe like nuclear war. If everything is random, then there is indeed much to fear.

But God is sovereign. He is all-good. He is all-powerful. Our life is in His hands. And that is a good place for us to be.

Application: 

How does knowing nothing will befall us that God does not allow, comfort us? How can this knowledge help us live without fear?

4. We have a responsibility while God does this – No doubt this passage is focused on God’s power and protection. Still, we have a responsibility. 

We are to dwell with Him (verse 1).

We are to trust in Him (verse 2). 

We are to be bold and not fear (verse 5). 

We are to observe what God is doing (verse 8). 

We to hold fast to Him in love (verse 14). 

And we are to call on Him (verse 15).

Application: 

Think of a crises or difficult that we face. Which one of the above, do we need to do? How will we do it?

5. Satan twisted Scripture to encourage Jesus to be reckless – Psalm 91 verses 11 and 12 are quoted by Satan when he tempted Jesus as written in Matthew 4. In essence, he was telling Jesus that since God would care for Him anyway, He could live His life in a reckless manner and it wouldn’t matter. Also, Satan was trying to feed into whatever human feelings Jesus may have felt of loneliness. Satan encouraged Jesus to do something foolish and dangerous to “test” whether or not God would fulfill His promise.

It is interesting that Satan was encouraging application of Scripture! But applying Scripture is not always good. You have to apply it correctly! Test the spirit reminder ... 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets . . . 

I would argue that based on the passage, God does not deliver people who recklessly endanger their own lives for whatever reason they might have and then seek His protection. Why? Verse 1 provides the premise for the entire idea that God protects His people. The premise is that His people must “dwell” with Him. He will protect those who are obedient and abiding in Him. But when a person goes outside of His perfect will and engages in foolish and harmful behavior, God withdraws His protection.

This idea is consistent with the biblical principle “you reap what you sow.” A person who is obedient to God “reaps” protection. But a person who disobeys and acts in a foolish way “reaps” the natural consequences of that action.

A child may claim the promise that those who honor their parents will live a long life. But then if they don’t listen to their parent’s warnings about drugs abuse and take them anyway, they may die. The promise is only applicable to those who fulfill the condition. In like manner, if Jesus jumped off the temple He would not be fulfilling the condition that this promise of angelic protection is based on.

Application: We should interpret Scripture correctly. Looking at the context is paramount. Do not take verses or promises out of context.

6. God’s protection does not mean that we should be reckless – Knowing that God will protect you, does not mean that you should be reckless. Paul was divinely protected from a poisonous snake bite (Acts 28). Some foolish sects take this example and promises of protection in the Bible, and then incorporate snake handling as part of Sunday worship. One such person was Gregory Coots. He practiced snake handling during a Pentecostal service. He began handling snakes at the age of twenty three. Over the years he was bitten a number of times. During one of these services, a twenty-eight year old in his “church” died from a snake bite. At the age of forty-four he was bitten again during a service. Paramedics came, but he refused help. Guess what happened to him? He died. There are many true stories like this.

God’s promises are often conditional upon our obedience. Living in a wise manner is fundamental. And people who recklessly presume upon God’s mercy will face the due results of such foolishness.

III. God’s people have a harmonious relationship with Him (verses 14-16)

Discussion Questions

●Who does the “he” and the “I” and the “him” refer to in verse 14?

●What does this verse show us about who God extends His protection to?

●Based on verse 15, who does God move to help?

●In what ways is God “with” someone in trouble, even when that trouble is not taken away?

●Is long life a guarantee for believers now?

●Was long life a promise for Old Testament believers?

Cross-References Verses

Exodus 20:12 – Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Proverbs 18:10 – The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

Isaiah 52:6 – Therefore my people shall know my name. Therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here am I.

Verse by Verse Meditation 

1. God desires a perfect divine relationship with His people – Verse 14 tells us that He will deliver those who hold fast to Him in love (not those who hold fast to snakes!) In essence, the closer we get to God the farther we get from danger.

God is a personal Being. God desires a perfect harmonious relationship with us.

Application: 

Are we holding fast too God in love? 

How can we “hold” onto Him even more? We cannot hold on to God if we are holding on to the world. We must first release our grip on the world before we can hold on to Him. 

Is there something in this world we need to let go of?

2. When he calls to me, I will answer him – We should have God on speed dial. The line between us and Him is open all the time. One of the great blessings God gives to His children is 24/7 access to His throne room.

Imagine what it would be like to have a harmonious relationship with the president like that. At any time, we can call to get direct help for whatever we are facing. We have an even higher power on our side. And yet we often seek help from other sources instead of from God Himself. What other sources do we call on?

Application: Cultivate a lifestyle of prayer. The more we call on God the easier it will be. I was reading a book titled “The King of the Cannibals” about a Scottish missionary named John Patton. There was a man he ministered to who said, “I not only don’t know how to pray. I can’t pray!” But God changed his heart. The most difficult prayer he prayed was the first one. Once he started talking, it got easier. Opening up to God first and talking to God is a habit. That is true in any humanity relationships like marriage and also our relationship to God. Set aside a time this week to spend time alone with God. Just talk to Him. Open the lines of communication and our relationship will grow sweeter and sweeter.

https://youtu.be/Ma_SMyiEApc?si=51wjGTcxrqhBAOWf

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

Psalm 91:1 - He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Masoretic Text (read from right to left)⬅

91:1יֹשֵׁב בְּסֵתֶר עֶלְיוֹן בְּצֵל שַׁדַּי יִתְלוֹנָֽן׃   

 

יָשַׁב

yāšaḇ ( He that dwellers)

בְּסֵתֶר 

סֵתֶר

sēṯer ( in the Secret Place )

עֶלְיוֹן 

עֶלְיוֹן

ʿelyôn ( of the most High )

יִתְלוֹנָֽן 

לוּן

lûn ( shall abide )

בְּצֵל 

צֵל

ṣēl ( under the shadow )

שַׁדַּי 

שַׁדַּי

šaday ( of the Almighty )

Psalm 91:2 - I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust.”

(read from right to left)⬅

91:2  אֹמַר לַֽיהוָה מַחְסִי וּמְצוּדָתִי אֱלֹהַי אֶבְטַח־בּֽוֹ׃

אֹמַר 

אָמַר

'āmar ( I will say )

לַֽיהוָה 

יְהֹוָה

Yᵊhōvâ ( of the LORD, )

מַחְסִי 

מַחֲסֶה

maḥăsê ( my refuge )

וּמְצוּדָתִי 

מָצוּד

māṣûḏ ( and my fotress: )

אֱלֹהַי 

אֱלֹהִים

'ĕlōhîm ( my God; )

בּֽוֹ 

    ( in him )

אֶבְטַח־ 

בָּטַח

bāṭaḥ ( will I trust. )

Psalm 91:3 - Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler[¹]

And from the perilous pestilence.

[¹ :That is, one who catches birds in a trap or snare]

(read from right to left)⬅

91:3 כִּי הוּא יַצִּֽילְךָ מִפַּח יָקוּשׁ מִדֶּבֶר הַוּֽוֹת׃

כִּי 

כִּי

kî ( Surely )

הוּא 

הוּא

hû' ( he )

יַצִּֽילְךָ 

נָצַל

nāṣal ( shall deliver thee )

מִפַּח 

פַּח

paḥ ( from the snare )

יָקוּשׁ 

יָקוֹשׁ

yāqôš ( of the fowler, )

מִדֶּבֶר 

דֶּבֶר

deḇer ( [and] from the )

הַוּֽוֹת 

הַוָּה

haûâ ( noisome )

מִדֶּבֶר 

דֶּבֶר

deḇer ( pestilence )

Psalm 91:4 - He shall cover you with His feathers,

And under His wings you shall take refuge;

His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

91:4 בְּאֶבְרָתוֹ יָסֶךְ לָךְ וְתַֽחַת־כְּנָפָיו תֶּחְסֶה צִנָּה וְֽסֹחֵרָה אֲמִתּֽוֹ׃

בְּאֶבְרָתוֹ

אֵבְרָה

'ēḇrâ ( with his feathers, )

יָסֶךְ

סָכַךְ

sāḵaḵ ( He shall cover )

לָךְ  ( thee )

וְתַֽחַת־

תַּחַת

taḥaṯ  ( and under )

כְּנָפָיו

כָּנָף

kānāp̄  ( his wing )

תֶּחְסֶה

חָסָה

ḥāsâ  ( shall thou trust: )

[ shall be thy ]

צִנָּה

צִנָּה

ṣinnâ  ( 

Psalm 91:5 - You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,

Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

Psalm 91:6 - Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,

Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

Psalm 91:7 - A thousand may fall at your side,

And ten thousand at your right hand;

But it shall not come near you.

Psalm 91:8 - Only with your eyes shall you look,

And see the reward of the wicked.

Psalm 91:9 - Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,

Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

Psalm 91:10 - No evil shall befall you,

Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

Psalm 91:11 - For He shall give His angels charge over you,

To keep you in all your ways.

Psalm 91:12 - In their hands they shall bear you up,

Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

Psalm 91:13 - You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,

The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

Psalm 91:14 - “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

Psalm 91:15 - He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will deliver him and honor him.

Psalm 91:16 - With long life I will satisfy him,

And show him My salvation.”