Psalm 91

Pastor Paddick Van Zyl

07-08-2022

Psalm 91

Sermon

Scripture Reference:

Psalm 91

Key verse :

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust.”

Theme:

Abiding under the shadow of God

Introduction:

When someone mentions Psalm 91, more often than not we immediately think: ‘The Protection Psalm’ (verses 10-12). And that is not incorrect, however there is so much more to Psalm 91 that just protection. Let’s look at it closer...

Sermon message:

This Psalm opens with the words: “He who dwells in the secret place…” This is a key phrase. What does it mean to dwell? To abide?

It means to set up house, to move in, to stay permanently… DWELLS is Strong’s #3427. It is a primitive root and it looks like this: dwell It is defined as, to sit down, to remain, to settle, to marry, make to keep [house], and to return.

“He who Dwells is one who’s made the choice to live permanently in God’s house – trusting in God and honouring His Word. (Heb Bet) There he will experience the activation of God’s right hand of power covering him. (Heb Yod) And God in His fiery zeal will consume all that tries to keep or draw him away from Dwelling. (Heb Shin)”*

When a stranger enters your kitchen and help themselves to food in the fridge, what do you do? Shock, horror how dare they?

But when our children or our spouse help themselves to anything in the fridge, there is no problem…because they stay in the same house as we do…

All the promises of this psalm hinge on this first phrase. DWELLING is not an option. Dwelling is a must if we want to experience the benefits listed in Psalm 91

God has a secret place for His own (Psalm 27:5, 31:20), and it is a place to live in. Those who dwell there abide under the shadow of the Almighty, knowing His protection, comfort, and care. That’s where He meets us, gives us guidance, & shows us His will. We are His dwelling place and He is ours. When we choose to trust and obey Him, we live secure in His Presence. (1 Cor 3:16-17 & Col 2:9-10)

“Every child of God looks towards the inner sanctuary and the mercy-seat, yet all do not dwell in the most holy place; they run to it at times, and enjoy occasional approaches, but they do not habitually reside in the mysterious presence.” (Spurgeon) **

God preserves those who abide in Him & love Him. Not those who visit the holy place once a year as the high priest did in the Old Testament tabernacle. Father wants all of us - not just a part of us that we are willing to surrender to Him.

Paul wrote:

2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP

9 “But He said to me, My grace (My favour and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!”

Before we get to verses 10 to 12 (protection) we have to first dwell and abide (verse 1). Not the other way around!

Look again at The Lord’s Prayer: Matthew 6:9-15

9 “In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

13 And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one…”

After you are done centring your heart and mind on the Fatherhood of God and His heavenly power, and then submitting completely to His royal Lordship, by saying “Your wll be done” then can you start asking for your daily bread , for protection and for provision. We have to abide in Father, His will.

How serious is God about us abiding in Him and His Word in us?

Jesus in the gospel of John chapter 15 verse 4 says: “Remain (abide) in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me.”

John 6:56 : “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.”