Summing up an entire year is not always as easy as some may think. Sure, 2020 comes to mind as fairly easy to describe, but it was still very different for each individual. Then 2021 came and went with a bit of what people called the new normal (pardon my eyeroll). But times have changed. What I’ve learned since 2020 up to this point is that Psalm 91 holds true. Always.
For those who have read previous posts and know that I set out to memorize it, I succeeded. I set my goal in January 2022 to memorize Psalm 91, commonly known as a prayer of protection. I finished memorizing it at the beginning of December and have recited it daily (sometimes more than once) since then. Each time there’s a bit more confidence in my delivery, and the words have started to come out with a touch of boldness that wasn’t there before. Oh yes. Times have certainly changed.
Digging deeper into Psalm 91 really helped in remembering the order of things. Take verse 13 as an example. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. (Psalm 91:13 NIV) It didn’t make sense that there was such repetition with the lions and the snakes. But there is always a reason for what is in scripture. For those who are curious, the first mention of the lion is referring to any lion whether young or old. The second mention is referring to a lion in its prime – ferocious and strong and cunning. With the snakes, the cobra is the evil you see coming and the serpent is the evil that sneaks up on you. See? Always a reason.
As I’ve spent time pondering Psalm 91 and the message it conveys, I’ve started to look at things a bit differently. Head knowledge is starting to shift into heart knowledge. I’ve had the knowledge that Jesus’ sacrifice provided everything I need to live a victorious life, but I’ve allowed myself to be so swayed by the world and my physical senses that I’ve failed to take hold of it.
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit; who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle. The Lord performs righteous deeds, and judgments for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He will not always strive with us; nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:1-12 NASB
I don’t want to forget any of His benefits: pardons ALL our sins, heals ALL our diseases, redeems our life from the pit (translated also as destruction, a trap, the grave), crowns us with lovingkindness (divine goodwill) and compassion, and satisfies my years with GOOD things so my youth is renewed (42 is really not old). And then we find out that we’re recipients of all of those benefits because He removed our sins as far as the east is from the west. Sin is not what stands between mankind and God.
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. I John 2:2 NIV
If that’s not enough, read Hebrews 10:1-18 (especially verses 10-18). ONE time for ALL for ALL TIME. That alone is GOOD NEWS! But He didn’t stop there. When you love someone, you can’t help but give in abundance and boy did He go above and beyond! Our abundance here on earth is limited only by our imaginations (Ephesians 3:16-21)!
So why do so many of us walk through this life, day after day, year after year, in a state of defeat? Why are we as individuals – and even churches – bowing down or cowering to the evil that’s in this world? Jesus paid for our victory that we’re not taking hold of! He paid the ultimate price for us to stand in victory where He proclaimed Tetelestai! (This Greek word literally translated to It is finished. Commonly used in Jesus’ life as a version of PAID IN FULL on business receipts.) Jesus used this word twice according to John.
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, in order that Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I am thirsty.” John 19:28 NASB
When Jesus therefore had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. John 19:30 NASB
What Scriptures were fulfilled? We can go through prophecies regarding a virgin birth, Jesus’ birthplace, His tribe and lineage, that He would be called Immanuel, and that He would be called the Son of God. We could also go through the prophecies about Jesus being betrayed, spat on and beaten, He would be crucified with criminals after being mocked and ridiculed, that He would be hated without cause and falsely accused, and that His hands, feet and side would be pierced through but none of His bones broken. What about the prophecies stating that Jesus would heal the brokenhearted, proclaim good news to the poor, bring physical healing, and pay in full (tetelestai) the price for our sins?
Walking into this coming year, I can’t help but have a shift in my perspective. While there might be sicknesses and diseases in the world, while there’s mental and emotional anguish manifesting in evil actions and mindsets (gender dysphoria or dysmorphia anyone?) and there’s divisions festering within the church, I can only speak for myself: times have changed.
Jesus’ proclamation of tetelestai was a proclamation that ALL my sins (past, present, and future) have been forgiven, I have been healed of ALL sicknesses and diseases, I have been rescued from any destructive thing the world might throw my way, I have a crown of divine goodwill atop my head and it’s time for me to act like it.
I have decided to continue memorizing scripture this year. Psalm 91 has 16 verses and I’m going to memorize 16 more verses. I want to focus on my identity in Christ and have picked Psalm 103:1-12 and Jeremiah 17:7-8. I need two more verses and would like them to be from the New Testament. With the focus on my identity in Christ in mind, let me know what two verses you would like me to memorize. I will pick from your suggestions.