Psalm 91:1-4: One who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Psalm 91:1-4. New American Standard Bible
Security of One Who Trusts in the Lord.
91 One who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will lodge 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 For it is He who rescues you from the net of the trapper
And from the deadly plague.
4 He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may take refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and wall.
There is a place of safety that is only known by those who make their resting place and their trust the Lord. Through out this life we will face assaults from Satan. Jesus never promised a life without trouble, pain, or suffering. But He did promise never to leave us nor forsake us. He promised that He would not leave us as orphans. It is often in the place of suffering, pain, and trial that the greatest work of God is done in the heart of the believer.
But the key is abiding in Christ. The writer of the Psalm speaks of the shadow of the Most High. He is speaking of the presence of God. When the pursuit of God is our obsession and aim, we will find ourselves continually dwelling in His presence. No matter what we face, we will experience His peace in all things.
The writer says without hesitation that God is our refuge, our fortress, and He is where our trust is placed. He surrounds us and protects us. He calls us to trust Him in the midst of the storm and the onslaught of the enemy. As Satan rains down his fiery arrows upon us, it is Jesus who becomes our shield and our rampart. It is Jesus who enables us to stand in the face of Satan, to not only resist him, but to crush him and drive him out.
The enemy is continually setting traps and snares for us. He thoroughly studies our life. He finds the weaknesses within us through the temptations we respond to. He cannot read our minds, but he examines the way we respond to every temptation and accusation.
But it is God who enables us to overcome. It is Jesus who leads us to victory and enables us to be the champion He has called us to be. We are called to fix our eyes upon Him because this world is dark and wicked and the only way to truly navigate it is to be in step with the Spirit of God each step of the way.
Like a mother eagle the Lord will cover us with His pinions. It is under His wings that we will find shelter from the storm and the onslaught. The key to spiritual warfare and victory is not standing in our own strength and power. It is deep intimacy with Jesus Christ. It is walking so closely with Him that His heart and mind become ours. We see all things as He sees them and we see the enemy for what he truly is.
Today victory is ours but the key is to abide in Christ. Through abiding in Christ, restoration and healing will touch every area of our lives. When the pursuit of God and seeking Him becomes our obsession and aim, nothing else will matter. We will step over every assault of Satan and when the enemy comes after us, it is not us he will be dealing with, it will be Almighty God.
Prayer
Father today I come before you and I ask you to lead, guide, and direct me. I pray you would help me to abide in your presence and to let go of control of my life. Help me not to rely upon my own strength and wisdom, but to fully surrender all things into your hands. Help me to learn from my short comings and know that you are always in control. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!
