Bible Study - Storm (6) - Shelter of GOD'S Protection - Psalm 91 - January 11, 2015

Bible Study – Storm (6) – Shelter of GOD’S Protection – January 11, 2015

This is lesson six (6) and our final lesson in the series entitled “Storm Shelter: 

Psalms of GOD’S Embrace.”

Our focus scripture is Psalm 91:1-4, 9-11, 14-16.

GOD is our ultimate protection. Yet, we see bad things happen to “good people.” I put “good people” in quotes because we measure and apply the title of “good” or “bad” to people based upon our concept of “good” or “bad.” GOD is the ultimate judge. The point being, GOD will be with all of HIS children when they go through troubling times. Verse 15 gives Christians that assurance. Their earthly body may die but GOD will be there with them shepherding them through the shadow of death, which is fearful to the lost but glorious to those who have been redeemed by the shed blood of CHRIST.

This Psalm was written with the intent of building up the faith of those who place their trust in GOD. In the “Leaders Guide” Bible Studies for Life, published by LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, winter 2014-15, pages 90-91, Dr.  Stephen J. Andrews, Professor of Old Testament, Hebrew, and archaeology and Director of the PhD Program at Midwestern Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri wrote an excellent overview of Psalm 91. Stated below is a condensed version of Dr. Andrews’ writings.

The Psalm 91 has three speakers:

-         The Believer, who trusts in GOD, offers a first person testimony in verse 2.

-         The psalmist/worship leader exhorts the believer in the second person throughout the bulk of the psalm - verses 1, 3-13.

-         GOD speaks at the conclusion of verses 14-16.

-         The shift of speakers may indicate the psalm was used in the temple worship, but the precise setting is not clear.

The Psalm has three types of images:

-         The dominant image of refuge in verses 1-2 and 9 focus upon GOD’S presence in the temple.

-         Protective images include a hiding place, a fortress, verses 1-2; a bird protecting its chick’s verse 4 and angel’s in verses 11-12.

-         Lastly, threat images depict a hunter and disease, verse 3, battle weapons verse 5 and dangerous animals in verse 13.

-         The LORD is portrayed as protecting the believer from these and other threats.

The psalm is in three main sections: (1-8, 9-13, 14-16)

-         The first two begin with a confession (verses 1-2) or the report of a confession of trust in the LORD as a refuge – (verse 9).

-         Then each describes protective actions of the LORD in verses 3-4, 10-12 and promises for the believer’s security verses 5-8 and 13.

-         The last section, verses 14-16, contains a prophetic oracle where GOD Himself declares the kind of shelter HE will provide.

Let’s read Psalm 91:1-4:

The Protection of the Most High

1 The one who lives under the protection of the • Most High dwells 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 He Himself will deliver you from the hunter’s net, from the destructive plague. 4 He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield.

The person who “lives” or walks in step with GOD receives GOD’S protection. The person who lives in step with GOD is in relationship with GOD and his or her trust in HIM has resulted in GOD being his or her refuge and fortress.

The psalmist refers to GOD as the “Most High” (Elyon or El Elyon) which means “the Supreme One,” “HE is sovereign,” “omnipotent”; “Almighty” (Shaddai) which refers to GOD as being the most powerful; LORD (Yahweh) which is the personal, covenant name of GOD. GOD (Elohim) is the general Hebrew word for a god but in the Old Testament, Elohim most often refers to the one true GOD.

GOD is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent and HE delivers HIS children from the things that will ensnare and cut their lives short. We must keep in mind that GOD gives HIS children the freedom of choice.

GOD’S banner of love and protection is like that of a mother hen who covers her chicks with her wings to protect them. GOD can be trusted to protect HIS children. Will we seek HIS protection?

Yet, we know that GOD does not seemingly protect all of HIS children from bad things happening to them. Most of us know of a number of faithful followers of CHRIST who have lost their lives through accidents, disease, violence, and such, while obediently serving GOD.

Many years ago after reading the book “Tortured for Christ” I got onto GOD’S case. I told HIM that I was better to my children than HE was to HIS children. If I were GOD, if someone harmed a hair on one of my children’s head I would zap that person.

The LORD allowed me to rant and rave and when I finished, the still, calm voice of GOD said, “Suppose, I did zap anyone who harmed a Christian, why do you think that a person would become a Christian? Would it be because that person saw the need for salvation or because of the protection I would give him or her?” I said, because of the protection. GOD said, now think upon that.

GOD’S protection is available to all of HIS children but HIS to administer according to HIS plan and purpose.

It is very difficult for us in the flesh to accept that GOD is sovereign when HIS path takes a different path than the path we think is or would be best according to our plan and purpose.

 The psalmist continues in verses 5-8:

5 You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day, 6 the plague that stalks in darkness, or the pestilence that ravages at noon. 7 Though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, the pestilence will not reach you. 8 You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked.

When GOD’S chosen are secure in HIM, they are not to be afraid at night or day. But it does not mean they will not be in the midst of fearful things. They are not to fear the things they have no control over such as plagues or pestilence. Those who have built a trusting relationship with GOD will see HIS protective hand at work when they look around and see others falling. We have to know that in order for HIS chosen to witness GOD’S protection, we need to be in the midst of the things that are happening but kept secure in HIM.

Let’s read Psalm 91:9-11:

9 Because you have made the Lord —my refuge, the Most High —your dwelling place, 10 no harm will come to you; no plague will come near your tent. 11 For He will give His angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways.

GOD bestows HIS protection upon those, who like the psalmist, make HIM their refuge, their Most High and their dwelling place. When they do, “no harm will come to that person; no plague will come near their tent.” Tent means where they live.

“Because” we have made a decision to place our trust in GOD, through faith in CHRIST, then “no harm”; “no plague” will come near where we live.

I have heard it taught that the most important person in any community is the person who is faithful to GOD because GOD’S protective care extends to the area around the faithful person. Yet, we know of destruction coming to areas that appear to have a number of Godly people in it. We also hear of many people who bear witness of GOD’S protection during disasters. It is hard to keep in mind that GOD is sovereign. Some are destroyed and die and some are spared.

GOD gives orders to HIS angels or ministering spirits concerning each of HIS children or those who will be HIS children to protect them until HIS plans and purpose are fulfilled.

In Hebrews 1:14: (Amplified)

14 Are not the angels all ministering spirits (servants) sent out in the service [of God for the assistance] of those who are to inherit salvation?

Many of us know that angels have watched over us and yet, apparently not watching over others. But we must keep in mind that GOD is sovereign; Easy to say but hard to accept.

When we are spared from situations that should have taken our lives, we often ask “Why did GOD spare me?”

 The psalmist continues in verses 12-13:

12 They will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the young lion and the serpent.

GOD’S angels are under HIS command and they will physically protect HIS children. As you recall, Satan used this scripture when JESUS was tempted to prove Himself as found in Matthew 4:5-7:

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

GOD watches over and protects HIS children but HIS children are not to test GOD by doing foolish things.

Let’s read Psalm 91:14-16:

14 Because he is lovingly devoted to Me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows My name. 15 When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor. 16 I will satisfy him with a long life and show him My salvation.

This special protection is based upon our relationship with GOD through faith in CHRIST and building upon that relationship by walking with HIM as the Holy Spirit leads. It is in the daily walk that HIS children build trust in HIM and this in turn builds their relationship. When we are in such an intimate relationship with GOD, we know whether we walk upon earth or walk in heaven we are in step with GOD. Physical death becomes a mute point.

First, those who place their trust in GOD, through faith in CHRIST get to know HIM. The sin barrier has been broken and whoever receives CHRIST as their Savior becomes a child of GOD. That is the beginning of the Spiritual growth and the maturing process or sanctification. This relationship is not that they know about HIM but that they know HIM as they build the right relationship with HIM through obedient service.

All children of GOD build their relationships with HIM through interactive, dynamic and real activities which are based upon each being honest with each other. GOD will do HIS part in the relationship and we must do our part by confessing our sins as we journey with HIM. GOD does not want anything to come between HIM and HIS children.

GOD will respond to those who are in right relationship with HIM. GOD is the giver of life and HE gives those who are in right relationship with HIM long life and continues to reveal Himself in their lives.

These have been interesting lessons. Each of us could write a Psalm expressing our journey with GOD through faith in CHRIST. Building an intimate, loving relationship is vital to experiencing GOD. GOD desires to be our best friend and best friends share intimate details with each other and support each other through thick and thin. JESUS told HIS disciples in John 15:11-17:

11 “I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. 12 This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you • slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. 17 This is what I command you: Love one another.

Do you know JESUS as your Savior and best friend? If not, now is the time to ask HIM to forgive you for your sins and ask HIM to come into your life. As we begin a new year, begin it with CHRIST as your Savior and allow HIM to be your very best friend through an intimate, loving relationship. It is a process of sanctification or being made more Saint like.

Keep in mind that you are the clay and HE is the potter. All the clay has to do is to be available to the potter. It is the potter who is the master designer for what the clay will become.  Allow GOD to make and mold you into HIS image. GOD has a plan and a purpose for your life!  Blessings!!!