God Our Habitation Series

Psalm 91 - Study 21 - God Our Habitation

We read in Psalm 91:9, “Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place-the Most High, who is my refuge” (ESV)

In our studies based on Psalm 91 we have realized that this is a Psalm that elaborates the protection of God over His children. The word ‘safety’ has become so important to everyone these days. Primarily everyone wants to be safe and secure from the attack of the deadly disease that threatens all of us. Recently we heard of the invasion of swarms of locusts that caused massive destruction in many places, and people sincerely sought ways to safeguard the crops from their attacks. Of late, there has been news about war at our borders, and we sincerely pray for the security of our soldiers. During these days of financial recession we pray that families and people around us be secure, and that their needs be taken care of during this economic crisis. No matter what calamity we may be challenged with, Psalm 91 is God’s word of assurance that He is the protector and guardian, to those who put their trust in Him.

If we take careful note we will observe that Psalm 91:9 will appear quite different in its rendering from all of the other verses in that chapter. In this verse there appears to be a discourse between two people. While one says that God is his refuge, he recognizes that the other person has made God his dwelling place or habitation. There is a clear distinction between refuge and habitation. Habitation is a place of dwelling whereas refuge is a place of security that one runs to in times of trouble or calamity.

A majority of people have made God their refuge and seek Him only when things turn bad. There are others who have made God their dwelling place in whom they reside securely at all times. To help understand this let me give you an example from our day to day lives. Those who drive a car know that the steering wheel is of utmost importance to keep the vehicle on course. However, most of us will also have in our cars a spare tyre or stepny, which generally never comes to our mind unless we end up with a puncture. The steering wheel is likened to those who make God their habitation, abiding in Him at all times because they have realized their need for God to chart their life’s course. On the other hand, the spare tyre can be compared to those who make God their refuge and think about Him or turn to Him only in times of danger or difficulty. When God is someone’s dwelling place, the ups and downs of life will not in any way affect their relationship with God, for they will abide securely in Him, and do everything that pleases the Lord.

A family who made God their Habitation

We read in Luke 1:5-6, “When Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the division of priests named after Abijah. Zechariah's wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. Zechariah and Elizabeth had God's approval. They followed all the Lord's commands and regulations perfectly.” (GW)

Here was a priestly family, the name of the husband was Zechariah and his wife was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous and obeyed God’s commands and decrees without blame.

In Luke 1:7, “Yet, they never had any children because Elizabeth couldn't become pregnant. Both of them were too old to have children.” (GW)

To a couple who found favor in the eyes of God, there was still one thing that was lacking. Elizabeth was barren and unable to bear a child. I am sure they prayed to God for many long years that they would have a child. They had now come to a stage in their lives when having a child seemed an impossibility, as both of them had passed the age of child bearing. In the midst of their inadequacy Zechariah and Elizabeth did not waver in their faith in God. At the appointed time God heard their prayers, and blessed them with a son, who became John the Baptist.

There are those who have been praying fervently and when these prayers are not answered as they expected, have decided to walk away from God. They have stopped praying because they feel their prayers have been futile. If you are wearied from not having received the answer to your prayers, the Lord wants to encourage you to make Him your dwelling place. It is when we do so will we see that the Lord will intervene to do the impossible in our lives in His perfect time. We may not understand all the times and seasons that God has ordained for us, but we do have the guarantee that we have a loving Father who will make everything perfect in due course.