December 1, 2002

 

 

 

Psalm 91:  “The Secret Place”

 

·        “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High……shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

 

·        This psalm is very similar to the previous psalm (90) which is a prayer written by Moses.

 

·        Most likely Moses wrote Psalm 91.

 

·        It is important for several reasons.  First, it has a prophetic reference to Jesus in verse 11-13.  And second, Satan quoted those verses to Jesus in the wilderness (Matt. 4:6).

 

Our Purpose:  We want to learn how to enter into “the secret place” and “abide” under the shadow of the Almighty, so that we will be able to live and walk in the blessings of this Psalm.  GET YOURSELF UNDER COVER!

 

READ:  Psalm 91

 

·        (Key)  Psalm 91 is not a promise to all believers……..only to those who “dwell” and “abide” in the secret place of the Most High.

 

Verses 1-2

·        Three (3) key words:  dwells, abide, trust.

 

·        Four (4) references to God:

 

- Most High – (Gen. 14:18)  El Elyon  (Sovereignty & Strength)

          - Almighty – (Gen. 17:1)  El Shaddai  (Overpowering, Almighty One)

 

          - Lord – (Gen. 2:4)  Yahweh (the I AM, self-existent One)
                            

- God – (Gen. 1:1) Elohim (the supreme Deity)

Verses 3-4   Why we “trust Him”

 

·        He delivers:

1.     “……from the snare of the trapper” (KJ. says  “fowler”)

- i.e.  Satan, the one who loves to ensnare and entrap

 

     2.  “…….from the deadly pestilence”

- The Hebrew word [dabar] here means: to speak or to speak out.

- It is something spoken, either a verbal curse or a judgment of God. 

 

·        He Covers:  (Image of a hen with her chicks)

      1.  “…….with His pinions,”

 

      2.  “…….under His wings”

 

·        He is faithful:  “shield and bulwark”

1.     God’s faithfulness constitutes “double armor” for the believer.

-  Shield = the shield borne on the arm

-  Bulwark = a coat of mail

 

Verses 5-10    The Fruit of Trusting Him (Abiding In the Secret Place)

 

·        This almost sounds like plagues in Egypt, the Passover Night with the Death Angel, and the 40 years in the Wilderness.

 

·        Review verse by verse.

 

 

Verses 11-12         Angels On Assignment!

 

·        (Insight)  Notice that the word “angels” is plural.

 

·        You and I don’t have just one (1) guardian angel!  (Heb.1:13-14)

 

·        Looking after us is more than a one angel job.

 

·        (Key)  You have to “dwell”...you have to “abide” in the secret place.

Verse 13      Keep the enemy under your feet.

 

·        Regardless of what “snare” or “attack of the enemy” you face, when we abide under the shadow of the Almighty there is victory.

 

·        (Insight)  Notice who is doing the walking here

 

·        (Note) We don’t intentionally walk on lions and snakes, but when it happens the angels of heaven are on the job!

 

·        the lion = an open, vocal enemy.

 

·        Cobra (KJ, “adder”) = a snake, an undercover (deceptive) enemy.

 

·        (Double Confirmation)  The young lion and the serpent = the strength of youth and the deadliest form of serpent are no match for God’s anointed ones.

 

 

Verses 14-16         Jehovah Speaks:  (This is glorious!)

 

·        (v.14)  Deliverance and security in Him.

 

·        (v.15)  Answers to prayer, His presence in time of trouble.

 

·        (v.16)  A long satisfying life and a revelation of salvation (seeing beyond today).

 

You Need To Live It Out

 

1.  You must come “under cover”.

 

2.  Learn to “Dwell, Abide, and Trust” in the Lord.

 

3.  Getting “Under Cover” means surrendering you life to Jesus and coming under the Government of God.

 

4.  This is the only place of safety and security.