Bible Study - Emotions (2) - Shaking Off Fear - Psalm 91:1-16 - Decembeer 13, 2020

 

Bible Study – Emotions (2) – Shaking Off Fear – December 13, 2020

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “When Emotions Arise.”

Our focus scripture is Psalm 91:1-6, 9-16.

GOD is our defender no matter what we face.

Kathy Covington’s dad, Rev. Jim Covington, distributed Psalm 91 Books and Bandanas to many military and civilian personnel. It was great comfort to them when they faced the uncertain issues of life; particularly in battle; physical or spiritual. As soldiers of the cross, we face a battle every day. The Apostle Paul writes about this in Ephesians 6:10-18:

¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. ¹³ For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. ¹⁴ Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, ¹⁵ and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. ¹⁸ Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 

Suit up and PRAY for each other. The Christians in the world give hope to the world. DO NOT LOSE HOPE! Pray!!!

 

Let’s read Psalm 91:1-6:

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.

WOW! Just think about those words “the one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty!”

When we rely upon GOD and trust HIM, we abide in HIM. When we abide in HIM, we are so close to HIM 24/7 that we are always in shadow of HIS presence. That was the best intimate relationship the Old Testament writers could consider then, but since the passion of JESUS, the relationship of all who place their faith in JESUS is in unity with GOD. As written in scripture in Colossians 1:27:

²⁷ God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

The indwelling Holy Spirit confirms this intimate relationship with GOD. Spirit-born Christian’s are the temple of GOD (1 Corinthians 3:16 - ¹⁶ Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you?) In the words of Paul Harvey, now we have the rest of the story and it is magnificent and must be shared with others.

What benefits do we as Spirit-born Christians have? What does the psalmist reveal though his words as we read on ---?

² I will say^[a] concerning the Lord, who is my refuge and my fortress,
my God in whom I trust:

The psalmist had built the right relationship with GOD such that he knew GOD as his refuge and fortress and he could trust GOD. Do you know GOD as your refuge and fortress and you can trust HIM? What does such a knowing relationship mean to those who place their faith and trust in GOD -----

³ He himself will rescue you from the bird trap,
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.
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.

GOD so orders the steps of HIS Children to keep them from the known and unknown, seen and unseen things which come our way as we travel along the road of life. Let’s read on ---

Let’s Read Psalm 91:7-8:

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.

Here we read about the sovereignty of GOD. We are encountering a worldwide pandemic. We are seeing many people go into eternity. Will we be one or will we see the hand of GOD protect us? GOD’S Word is firm and GOD is sovereign. HE has the power to protect and the sovereignty to call people home. Here is where we must trust GOD and HIS wisdom. GOD knows the future and what would lie ahead of the person HE allows to leave earth and go home to his or her eternal reward. In these matters we must trust GOD. I know this will raise many questions regarding those who have succumbed to the pandemic and other issues that have ended in physical death. We will all die one day. We must trust GOD when that day comes.

I will copy verse 8: ⁸ You will only see it with your eyes
and witness the punishment of the wicked.

Seeing the hand of GOD at work will be revealed to you who trust GOD. Why? ------

Let’s read Psalm 91:9-13:

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.
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.

Have you made GOD your dwelling place through faith in JESUS?

Here we read promises of GOD for those who have made the LORD their dwelling place. Does that mean we can do things that challenge these words of truth? NO! GOD orders our steps and protects us. When we test GOD’S sovereignty, we take ourselves out from the canopy of HIS protection. We must trust GOD as HE orders our steps through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Do you recall who quoted verse 12 to JESUS? In Matthew 4:6:

⁶ “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.’^[a]”

 

Yes, it was none other than Satan. Oh, yes Satan knows scripture. What was JESUS’ reply as recorded in verse 7:

 

⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’^[d]”

 

GOD is sovereign and only HE instructs HIS Children what to do or not do. In the words of Dr. Vance Havner, “Trust in the dark, what you learn in the light.” Some may say, I did and it do not work out like I thought. I know, I have been there. But it has always been a learning experience when I ask the LORD and reflect back to my actions.

Why does GOD not just give us what we ask for? Let’s read on ----

Let’s read Psalm 91:14-16:

¹⁴ Because he has his heart set on 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.

GOD’S Children through faith in JESUS are the apple of GOD’s Eye. HE desires the very best for us. HIS heart is set upon us. HE takes great joy in delivering us and protecting us as we journey though life. How many times do we look back and know that the hand of GOD has protected us? I know, I have been spared from many close calls and consider many others that I was unaware of.

The “I” in these verses is GOD. What will HE do?

-         Deliver, protect, answer, be with us in trouble, rescue, give honor, satisfy with long life and show him or her GOD’S salvation.

-         When we seek, we will find. When we knock, the door will be opened.

-         Luke 11:9: ⁹ “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

What door will be opened/ Let’s read Revelation 3:20:

²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Who is standing outside of your heart’s door? It is JESUS and HE is knocking. Your part is to open the door of your heart and invite HIM into your heart. The latch to your heart’s door is only on the inside of your heart. You must take the step of faith and ask JESUS to come in and clean house and get rid of all the bad things that cannot be there as GOD’s Spirit-born Son or Daughter.

This is for the person who has never asked JESUS to forgive him or her for his or her sins or for the person who has made a profession of faith and not lives as JESUS desires. There is a verse that speaks to the lukewarm Christian as recorded in Revelation 3:16 - ¹⁶ So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither ^[a]cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

If you did that as a new believer, then welcome to the family of GOD my Brother or Sister in CHRIST. You are a new born Spiritual baby. Feed upon GOD’S Word and grow Spiritually into the mature Christian GOD desires for you to be. So, what do you need? You need to ask GOD to lead you to a church or Bible study group to help you grow Spiritually. You have been grafted into the vine and you are a branch of the true vine, JESUS.

If you are returning to the fellowship then welcome back. GOD never left you and greets you with open arms. So, do I. All Christians are sinners saved by GOD’S Grace!

Let’s read John 15:1-8:

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes^[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

How do you know that you are GOD’S Child? Let’s read Romans 8:16:

¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 

The Holy Spirit confirms it in the hearts of GOD’S Children. What does the scripture reveal about the purpose of the Holy Spirit? Let’s read 2 Corinthians 1:22: ²² set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

WOW! Did you know GOD gives you a guarantee? It is the best warranty you will ever get. It is eternal! It is all yours but it did cost the life of JESUS for you to have it. You will never regret it. I rejoice with you as you embrace and live the life JESUS desires for you.

Is fear from GOD? The title of our study is “Shaking Off Fear.” Let’s read 2 Timothy 1:7:

⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

GOD is sovereign! HE chooses you to be HIS Son or Daughter but the question is, do you choose HIM?

Blessings!!!