Exploring the Promises of Psalm 91

Introduction

Welcome to our gathering today. As we begin, let us open with prayer and song and allow a moment of silence to center ourselves before we delve into the scripture. Today’s focus will be on Psalms 91 and 97, reflecting on the insights they offer for our times.

Important Announcement: Please note that next week’s teaching will be pre-recorded, so we will not meet in person.

Diving into Psalm 91

Psalm 91 is a profound text that offers a window into the mindset and spiritual climate of its era. It also invites us to consider its relevance in our current lives. I will present some strong assertions drawn from the text, seeking deeper understanding—may YAHAVAH enlighten us with truth.

The Promises of Protection

The psalm opens with a powerful assurance: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of YAHAVAH, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.“

This declaration of faith is common across many psalms, emphasizing trust in God as a refuge and fortress.

The promises continue, underscoring divine protection:

• Deliverance from hidden dangers and deadly diseases
• Shelter under His wings, with truth as a shield
• Fearlessness in the face of night terrors and daily threats
• Immunity to widespread calamities
• A vision of divine justice against the wicked

These assurances culminate in a promise of angelic guardianship, triumph over threats, and salvation:

“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.”

Conditional Blessings

The psalm outlines the conditions for these blessings, emphasizing personal relationship with YAHAVAH:

“Because thou hast made YAHAVAH which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;” and “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him.”

The relationship between the Nation and YAHAVAH was one of conditional blessings. While the Nation was blessed and protected, the blessings were contingent upon putting God first. Despite the conditional nature, God’s love persisted even when the people faltered.

New Testament Reflections

These themes echo in the New Testament, particularly during Yeshua’s temptation in the wilderness.

In Matthew 4:5-7, Yeshua is tempted by the devil, who cites Psalm 91: “If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.“

However, Jesus confronts this challenge with wisdom, embodying the true understanding of divine protection and faith.

Conclusion

Psalm 91 offers a rich tapestry of promises but also challenges us with its conditional aspect. It reminds us that while divine protection and blessings are real, they invite us into a deeper relationship with YAHAVAH, built on trust and love. Let us reflect on these timeless truths as we walk our spiritual paths.

Understanding Temptation in Context

In the gospel, Jesus responds, “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God,” following a moment of profound temptation. At the heart of this moment, there’s a principle found in the Psalms: Because you love Him and have made Him your refuge, and because you know His name, He will ensure blessings on your behalf. This is the context found within the Old Testament.

The Old Testament Context

Fulfilling the Old Testament, Yeshua faced a test where Satan tried to manipulate a promise from the Psalm to serve selfish interests. The challenge to Yeshua was essentially, “Prove you are God’s anointed by putting Him in a corner.” In this setting, Yeshua stood at a significant height, possibly Solomon’s Porch, which Josephus described as overlooking a 700-foot drop.

Satan’s challenge was, “Jump, Jesus, jump! Doesn’t the scripture say?” He quoted passages from the Psalm that imply God’s protection:

“He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.”

Satan’s Misuse and Jesus’ Response

The context of this promise is that God will protect those who genuinely love Him and seek refuge in Him when they find themselves in trouble. However, Satan attempted to misuse this promise, encouraging Yeshua to deliberately place Himself in danger to force God’s hand. Yeshua corrected this misuse by citing Deuteronomy, saying, “It is also written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”

Scripture and Context

Understanding scripture requires context, from Genesis to Revelation. The Psalm addressed a nation called God’s own, with conditional promises and time-specific applications. The Devil’s appeal to Yeshua was a test, reflecting Jesus’ humanity as it appealed to His fleshly desires.

The first temptation was to satisfy His hunger, the second to gain worldly power, and the third was to test God’s love and protection by risking Himself unnecessarily.

Transition of Promises

The temptation involving the Psalm was pertinent because, with the Messiah’s advent, the conditional promises of material protection for the nation were diminishing. Yeshua’s ultimate promise was that God would guide His followers to fulfill His will, despite fears of physical harm.

Remember, in the historical setting, Jesus said:

John 16:32-33: “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulationA real historical event fulfilled in 70 A.D.—not a future apocalyptic crisis. More: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Persecution and Faith

In that era, Yeshua also said:

John 15:19-25 “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” “The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” “He that hateth me hateth my Father also… It is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.”

The persecution was time-stamped, directed at Christ and all who followed Him. Understanding the context of these scriptures and promises is vital to grasp their full meaning and to apply them appropriately in life.

Insights from John 17 and 1 Peter 4

In the teachings of Yeshua and the writings of the Apostles, we gain profound insights into the struggles and promises given to the early followers of Christ. These foundational scriptures offer guidance that remains pertinent today.

Yeshua’s Prayer for His Disciples

In John 17, Yeshua provides significant insight into that day and age. He prays for His disciples:

• John 17:12-16: While with them in the world, Yeshua kept them in the name of the Father, allowing none to be lost except the son of perdition, so that scripture might be fulfilled. He spoke of joy fulfilled within them through the Word given, acknowledging the world’s hatred because they were not of it. He prayed not for their removal from the world but for protection from evil, reiterating their otherworldliness.

The Encouragement from 1 Peter 5:10

Peter provides a sobering reflection on what it meant to be a faithful follower of Christ during those times:

• 1 Peter 5:10: The God of all grace, who called followers to eternal glory through Christ Jesus, would, after a period of suffering, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle them.

Living as a Faithful Follower in a Challenging World

Peter’s first epistle presents observations on living faithfully:

Arm Yourself with Christ’s Mind

1 Peter 4 advises believers to arm themselves with the mind of Christ, who suffered in the flesh and ceased from sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace.. The followers were encouraged to live no longer for the lusts of men but to follow the will of God.

Embracing Suffering and Judgment

Peter articulates the need to endure judgment and suffering with a Christian mindset:

• Suffering for Christ: Embracing suffering was seen as sharing in Christ’s experiences, bringing joy when His glory was revealed. If reproached for Christ’s name, it was a cause for happiness because the spirit of glory and God rested upon the believer.
• Judgment Begins at God’s House: Judgment was to start with God’s house, leading to contemplation about the fate of those who did not obey the gospel.
• Faithful Creator Trust: Those suffering according to God’s will were encouraged to commit their souls to God in doing good, akin to entrusting themselves to a faithful Creator.

Final Reflection

The teachings of Yeshua and the Apostle Peter remind us of the call to a life distinct from worldly desires and focused on God’s will. This path may involve suffering, but it also promises divine strength, establishment, and eventual glorification with Christ. Through these trials, believers are called to rejoice, knowing that they partake in a greater promise and a deeper spiritual fulfilment.

The Manifestations and Promises of Faith

In times past, believers waited for the manifestations promised to them to occur. Their faith journey was deeply intertwined with the teachings from the scriptures, as exemplified in Romans 8:18-25 about enduring present sufferings to be part of the glory yet to be revealed.

The Sufferings and Glory to Come

Romans 8:18-25 reminds us that the sufferings of this present time are incomparable to the glory that shall be revealed in us. It describes an earnest expectation for the manifestation of the sons of God, a deliverance from the bondage of corruption to the glorious liberty of God’s children. This hope is lived out with patience, as we wait for what we cannot yet see.

Yeshua’s Teachings on Loss and Suffering

Yeshua made it clear to those who followed Him that their journey would involve losses, not of their own making, but for His name’s sake. These were not self-inflicted losses but were integral to their faith journey.

Scriptural Warnings and Promises

He offered various warnings about the coming persecutions:

• Matthew 5:11: Blessed are those reviled and persecuted for His sake.
• Matthew 10:18: Followers would be brought before governors and kings for His name.
• Matthew 10:21-39: Promises of betrayals and familial divisions but also the finding of one’s life through losing it for His sake.
• Mark 8:35; Mark 10:29; Mark 13:9: Similar themes of losing one’s life to save it and being brought before rulers as a testimony.
• Luke 9:24; Luke 21:16: Further assurance that losing life for His sake results in ultimate salvation, despite betrayal from loved ones.

These reminders were to prepare the believers for a journey that was both spiritually rich but materially challenging, evident in the lives of early Christians like John the Baptist and the Apostles, many of whom faced martyrdom.

Faith Across the Ages

The promise of protection in the old times juxtaposes with the assurance of trials and tribulations in the apostolic period. The Old Testament promises spoke to material blessings for genuine faith, while the apostolic record highlighted suffering for faith, adorned with spiritual fortitude.

Faith Today

Today, nearly 2000 years later, Christianity has spread worldwide. Despite different contexts, faith remains a choice. Each era perceives faith differently:

• Old Testament: Genuine faith led to material blessings.
• Apostolic Era: Genuine faith promised material suffering but spiritual support and future rewards.
• Our Present Age: Faith today necessitates understanding both historical contexts and evolving interpretations, continually focusing on what choosing real faith means now.

Faith, through all these epochs, demands a deep commitment and an acknowledgment of its complex history, embracing both the material challenges and the spiritual richness it offers.

Faith in the Contemporary World

Tangible Changes in Faith and Promises

The promises of faith have evolved in the light of Christ’s victory, leading to tangible differences that merit examination. In various parts of the world, including the United States, Australia, the UK, Europe, Canada, South America, and South Korea, faith is largely ignored unless it involves attempts at establishing a theocracy. Unlike the past when Christians faced persecution, today, the experience of faith is more benign for millions.

Understanding the Current Experience of Faith

What does this mean for our spiritual journey? Are we merely enjoying a life of comfort and material prosperity, with access to modern medicine and endless entertainment, while God ceases to seek those who make Him their refuge? Have the biblical narratives of “believe and be materially blessed” versus “believe and suffer materially” changed in this age?

The Material and Spiritual Balance

We submit that the material world has improved for human habitation, blessing both sinners and saints alike. Material living is what God provides for all, and we have the choice, dominion, and ability to navigate this environment. We reap what we sow; education brings stability, while instability leads to more instability. God has optimized the material world, returning humanity spiritually to the Garden of Eden, where each of us stands relative to Him and our spiritual relationship.

Historical and Contemporary Spiritual Challenges

Regardless of historical context, seeking God has never been easy. God’s wisdom and fairness balance the material and spiritual circumstances of people. In the Old Testament, material rewards were abundant for those who chose Him spiritually, while in the Apostolic Age, the spiritual was sublime, and the material was challenging. Today, with material abundance, the spiritual realm is harder to grasp, requiring dedication from the heart.

The Spiritual Opportunities of Today

Contemporary seekers must overcome material interruptions to access spiritual blessings. Spiritual opportunities lie in individual choices amidst material abundance. The decision to pursue a relationship with God is crucial and genuine.

Choosing Spiritual Focus Over Material Abundance

Believers today can choose principles to guide their lives, shifting focus from the worldly to the divine. It’s not about God’s love being greater or lesser based on choices but about God’s search for those who prioritize Him above all else. When a person chooses to focus on one aspect of life, others may suffer; it’s a matter of preference and freedom.

God desires His creations to seek Him diligently, a choice that must be respected and accepted, given the other available options. There’s no punishment for choosing otherwise, only spiritual rewards for those who wish to know, relate to, and serve Him.

Faith and Perseverance: A Journey with God

The Choices We Make

All of the spiritual opportunities and challenges we face are present and available today for humanity. The choices each individual makes about faith are often a matter of degrees. Believe in God, and He believes in you. Reject God, and He rejects you in terms of relationship. Seek God, and He allows Himself to be found. Serve God from the heart, and spiritual rewards will manifest, often overshadowing the ephemeral success of material pursuits.

Paul’s Timeless Advice

Paul’s words to believers remain relevant today. In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, he wrote:

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

This principle remains today as it did in both the Old Testament and the Apostolic Record.

Embracing Trials and Tribulations

Reflecting on Romans 5:3-5, Paul also said:

. . . but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

The question facing believers today is what trials and tribulations are seekers willing to embrace in their pursuit of God according to their own will and ways? Physical deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. may no longer be the cost, but the death of a career could be. Some might face financial instability or other losses due to their allegiance to God. Family members may be tested, or we might experience alienation from the world.

Perhaps we willingly submit our personal desires and personalities to Him, experiencing the loss of our former lives in the presence of God. We are in a different age, and the texts from the Old Testament and the New Testament may have subtle but sometimes significant applications to the modern believer’s life.

Modern Applications of Faith

To diligently seek today may mean that other areas of life will suffer. Walking in the Light requires turning away from the supports of the Dark. Learning about God might mean taking time away from other interests.

Amplifying agape loveSelfless love marked by patience, mercy, and humility—central to living in spiritual liberty. means choosing selfless, sacrificial suffering for the well-being and betterment of others. Experiencing His liberty, rejecting all we could and do have to be made free by His presence within us, does not come without strings attached.

A Closing Reflection on Psalm 97

Let’s conclude with a reflection on Psalm 97:1-10, which says:

YAHAVAH reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
The hills melted like wax at the presence of YAHAVAH, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O YAHAVAH.
For thou, YAHAVAH, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
Ye that love YAHAVAH, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

A Call to Rejoice

Rejoice in this divine sovereignty and in the enduring promise of God’s love and justice in the lives of those who believe and seek Him earnestly.

Remembering His Holiness

The LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.

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We will stop there. Remember, next week we will not be here in person and the teaching has been pre-recorded.

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