One of the ‘weak-links’ I came to discover and experience years ago when immersed in the ‘faith’ movement...was how all the emphasis of seeing ‘God move’ on our behalf was tied up in whether we ‘believed enough’. It was all wrapped up in our faith...our confession...our mindset...which often ended in disappointment and frustration and discouragement. Why so, you ask? Because we were left with what seemed like broken promises or self-imposed condemnation because we simply did not have...’enough faith’. If only...there had been more solid teaching on the importance of how ‘obedience is the fruit of faith’. (Heb. 3:18-19; 5:9; 3 John 2; Rom. 10:16)

Many of us today sense that we live in dark times. We know what the Bible teaches about the ‘end times’ and how ‘perilous times will be’ as evil will continue to spread and flourish. Jesus spoke of increasing ‘floods... as in the days of Noah’ being imminent. It is any wonder that so many people today, including those who attend church, are experiencing much anxiety, dread and fear; not to mention depression and despair. May I direct your attention to a very encouraging and promise-filled Psalm which I bet you have read before – Psalm 91.

In this beloved Psalm, we read promises how God is our ‘refuge and fortress’ (2) and that He will deliver us from the ‘snare of the trapper/bait-layer’ (3). He promises to be our ‘shield and buckler’ (4) giving us no reason to “be afraid of the terror by night nor of the arrow that flies by day”. (5) It almost sounds as if these bad things are a given, and to be expected (John 16:33). And the psalm continues on....

We need not worry about “the plague that walks in darkness nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday”(6). Now I know this can be an uncomfortable topic to address....but God did bring judgment and wrath upon the world back in the days of Noah, and untold numbers of people...of all ages...were destroyed. It was clearly...not a pleasant thing to behold. But it wasn’t like God did not give plenty of time and warning...and yet most everyone just ‘scoffed’ at Noah. (2 Pet. 3:1-7) Now please read vs 9 there in 2 PEt.  as well.

So when we continue in Ps. 91...”a thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand...but it shall not come near you”(7)...it should get our undivided attention. This sounds like a very reassuring promise if you ask me. Again, in vs. 10, we read “no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling...”. We are told that ‘angels will be given charge over us to keep us in all our ways’ (11) and that we will ‘tread upon the lion and cobra and serpents’.(13). Care to take a guess at what those represent, given what we learn in the NT? (Luke 10:17-20; 1 Pet. 5:8). You can finish up with those reassuring promises found in vs. 14-16 of Ps. 91.

Now friends...here’s the most important part of this message today, which I will finish up tomorrow. This is a wonderful psalm to quote, to memorize, to meditate on and be comforted by all these promises of ‘protection’. But let’s not forget the ‘condition’ one must meet in order to be on the receiving end of this divine protection. You will find it in verse 1, of all places as these promises are made to those who “ABIDE”...under the shadow of the Almighty...and dwell in the secret place of the Most High”. (1).

Interesting...is it not...how once again it all points back to ‘abiding’ in Him? Join me tomorrow?