Dearly Beloved,
WHERE IS YOUR DWELLING PLACE?
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalms 91:1 NIV).
Psalm 91 is one of the most popular psalms. It is popular especially because it is a psalm of assurance of the protection and security of God. However, there is a striking truth in the opening verse of the psalm: the divine protection and security are only for those who live a life of communion with God. People that can apply this psalm to themselves are the people that totally trust in God. They are the people that are living by His standards because only such people can abide in the presence of the holy God without any fear of His holy wrath. “The secret place of the Most High” in verse one (KJV) was probably in reference to the Holy of holies. Under the Old Testament law, only the high priest who entered legitimately there would be covered with the cloud of God’s glory (the protection of the all-sufficient God), but under the new covenant, all believers in Christ have boldness to enter into the invisible holiest place by the blood of Jesus and those who thus enter are safe from every evil. No wonder, the writer of the Proverbs said, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (18:10 NIV).
The writer of this psalm enumerated how the people that “dwell in the secret place of the Most High” would be protected: (a) by being delivered from dangerous attempts against their lives (verse 3a; cf. Psalm 124:7); (b) by being under divine safety and comfort (verse 4a; cf. Psalm 17:8; 36:7); and (c) by enjoying divine faithful protection with the “covering of His feathers and wings” (verse 4b; cf. Psalm 57:1; 61:4; 63:7). These will result in the absence of fear in spite of prevailing danger (verses 5-8; cf. Psalm 3:6; 27:1-3; 46:2; 112:7; Proverbs 28:1). Because of the fact that these people have made God their “dwelling place,” angels will be their invisible bodyguards that will be taking care of them (verses 9-13; cf. Psalm 34:7). Interestingly, the devil misapplied this when he was tempting Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:6).
In verses 14-16, the psalmist wrote as if God Himself was confirming the psalmist’s faith. The Lord promises anyone that is abiding in Him: (a) deliverance from danger, (b) protection from harm, (c) divine presence in trouble, (d) honour, and (e) long life.
“If you make the Most High your dwelling -- even the Lord, who is my refuge” (verse 9), all kinds of danger mentioned in this psalm are ineffective against you. In fact, you will be confident of the divine security. There is no confidence or rest in any other place. Where is your dwelling place?
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).