A few years ago, I set out to memorize Psalm 91. I managed, and I learned so much, but since I’m not working on it now the way I had been, I’ve gotten a bit fuzzy on the details. As I wrote last week’s post, I was reminded of one of the many things that jumped out at me when I was studying through that passage.
I’m putting this passage in groups of 3-5 verses because I find it extremely helpful with getting a better understanding of what I’m reading. I can get overwhelmed when reading through scripture because, let’s face it, there’s a lot to take in! Let’s take a look at Psalm 91:
1. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:1-4 NIV
2. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. Psalm 91:5-8 NIV
3. If you make the Most High your dwelling – even the Lord, who is my refuge – then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. Psalm 91:9-13 NIV
4. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16 NIV
As I read and reread through this chapter, I noticed that it pretty well covers every trouble that might come our way in this fallen world. I also can’t help but notice all of the requirements of what I need to do in order for God to protect me from all of those things. Did you notice it, too? We’re simply to dwell in Him.
For anyone who was raised with a religious mindset – we have to do in order to have… we’re saved by grace, but we have to maintain our salvation – simply dwelling with God with all that in mind sounds way too easy.
The works-based faith sounds right because that’s how the world works. You don’t keep the job unless you do the work required. You don’t get the promotion unless you go above and beyond what’s expected of you. You don’t receive unless you give. You’re not even trusted unless you earn it. But again, that’s how the world works.
We’re told to be in the world but not of it (John 17:13-16). That means that we’re here, but we are to operate differently. If we’ve accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we’re actually citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.
We are to dwell in Him, not in social media and not in what’s trending. We’re above and not beneath, we’re blessed and not cursed, and we’re the head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:1-13).
It sounds too good to be true, this dwell with God and reap so many benefits. But if you’re anything like me, you might be wondering what dwelling with God – or making Him your dwelling place – really means.
In my post last week, Take the Pressure Off, I posed a question my husband had asked me: Do I have faith in His (God’s) faithfulness to me? It’s so very similar to what it means to make God my dwelling place. Dwelling with God is purposeful awareness of His constant presence. It makes a difference with where we’re choosing to focus.
It’s easy to get caught up in the depravity of the world around us. Without even noticing, we start comparing ourselves with others. We also have a tendency to get caught up in a bit of fear and uncertainty because of the fallen nature of the world that gets worse with each passing day.
We read that it’s just mustard-size faith we need to move mountains, but we’re not seeing the mountains move – not even mole-hills – so maybe we don’t even have a seed anymore. The reality is that we were focused on the seed and not the One who gave it to us. We weren’t focusing on Whose presence we’re constantly in.
We aren’t experiencing the reality of dwelling in His presence because we’re so focused on all of the evil around us. We can’t seem to shake off the fear that creeps in because we can’t seem to fathom that God is so much bigger and better than anything we might see or have in this world.
We watch the market and our investments – but God provides from the riches of His glory (Philippians 4:19) and not based on the current economy. We experience a few health issues and start researching everything we can about it, but we don’t research what God’s Word says about healing.
We’re not focused on His faithfulness. We’re not recognizing that we’re always in His presence.
Like I mentioned, I’m a bit rusty on my memorization of Psalm 91 because I’ve checked the box and moved on. But I want to turn back to it. I want to dwell with the One who’s faithfulness is my shield. I want to remind myself every day (probably more than a few dozen times a day) that I am always in God’s presence.
Can you imagine the peace that would encompass anyone who actually dwells in God’s presence? Can you imagine the difference in choices we might make if we’re purposefully recognizing that we’re in His presence at all times?
He told us that He would never leave us or forsake us, that He would be with us forever, and that He would give us help and strength (Matthew 28:18-20, Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 23:4, and Isaiah 41:10 – just to name a few). It’s a wonder that I would choose to look anywhere else… to anyone else.
Let’s do some purposeful mental checks throughout the day to remind ourselves of God’s presence… and I bet that we’ll step into a whole new world of how to navigate our day-to-day. I want to remember the big picture: I’m always in His presence and He is faithful.