The
Promise of Dwelling
Psalm 91 is one of the great inspired
songs given to the nation of Israel. It begins with this promise: “He
that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under
the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and
my fortress: my God; in him will I trust” (91:1-2). Here
are seven
observations from its first two verses:
(1) The word “dwelleth” is a word that signifies continuance, habit of
life. Sadly, too many that name the name of Christ treat the secret
place of the most High like they would a weekly visit to the gas
station for fuel, a diet drink and a candy bar. Those who frequent the
secret place find a solace, a comfort, a fellowship there they simply
cannot live without.
(2) The “secret place” of Psalm 91:1 is the “throne of grace” of
Hebrews 4:16. The most High has chosen to grant to men of low estate,
who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, access to his presence.
There is NO greater privilege than having an audience with the King of
heaven!
(3) Consider the universe the most High created with a word from his
mouth, its magnitude, a vastness our most powerful telescopes are
unable to capture. Since the most High MUST be greater than what he
created, how big a shadow must that be? Show me a man SITUATED under
his shadow, and I’ll show you man SUBMITTED to his authority!
(4) What a man says “OF the LORD” is usually something he first says
“TO the LORD.” The latter he says in private, in the secret place, and
wants the LORD to know. But what a ‘dwelling’ man says “OF the LORD” is
what he says in public, and wants the world to know.
(5) One of the instructional aspects of the Psalms is how the writers
shift between the first, second and third persons. The first two verses
of Psalm 91 are an example. In 91:1, he writes in the third person
(‘he’ and ‘him’) as he expresses the PRINCIPLE of dwelling. In 91:2, he
shifts to the first person (‘I will say’) as he expresses his PERSONAL
experience of the principle. It’s a sure sign the believer is growing
in grace when biblical principles become personal
experiences.
(6) What the ‘dwelling’ man wants the world to know is that the LORD is
his “refuge” (shelter in the time of storm), his “fortress” (defense in
the time of battle), and the object of his “trust.” That ain’t a bad
place to be, folks.
(7) Writers of the Psalms use the names of the most High
interchangeably, but with a distinct purpose. The names of God are
meant to say something about him as it relates to those who worship
him. In 91:2, he refers to the most High as “LORD” (Yahweh, the God of
covenant) and “God” (Elohim, the God of power). The most High with whom
a believer enters into covenant is able to empower the believer and
fulfill the conditions of his covenant.
The promise of dwelling is one all God’s people should wholeheartedly
embrace without the slightest doubt or reservation!
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