December 8, 2002

 

 

Psalm 91: Part II

"Stay Under Cover"

 

READ: Psalm 91:1-10

• There is no greater place of safety and security than when we are "Under Divine Cover."

• Every spiritual principle, every spiritual promise we seek to embrace and stand upon will be tested and tried.

• Keep in mind, Victory is not the absence of conflict and struggle. Victory is triumphant in the midst of the conflict.

• So just because you're facing a battle……it doesn’t mean you have lost the victory.

We touched a nerve.

• Last Sunday’s message stirred up the forces of darkness.

• Accidents this week: (Daniel Yoder, Danielle Gingerich)

• Sickness: (Cole Fergison, numerous colds, etc.)

• Clearly, we touched a nerve.

• We must continue to stand our ground as spiritual over-comers in Christ Jesus.

God does make a distinction.

• READ: Exodus 8:21-24 (4^th plague "flies")

• God made a distinction between His people and the Egyptians (the world).

1.     Exodus 9:4, 6, 24-26 (Plagues of the livestock & Plague of the Hail)

2.     Exodus 10:23, (9^th Plague: Darkness)

3.     Exodus 11:7, (10^th Plague: Death Angel)        

• Clearly, the Egyptians would have hated the Children of Israel even more because they were spared the plagues.

• (Insight) Obedience keeps us "Under Divine Cover". See Exodus 15:26 "Jehovah Rapha" our healer.

• (Spiritual Principle) Every authority in our lives provides us with a degree of covering and protection. When we move out from under (or violate) that authority, we are no longer under that covering of protection and the enemy has "a point of entry" to be able to attack us.

 

Disobedience and Sin will remove us from being "Under Divine Cover".

• Proverbs 26:2 "Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause does not alight." (NAS)

• No one can "curse what God has blessed", however sin removes the blessing of God from our lives.

1.     Numbers 22:12 (God’s words to the prophet Balaam) God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed."

2.     Numbers 23:8 (Balaam’s defense to King Balak) How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? And how can I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced?

3.     As long as we are seeking to walk in obedience to the Lord, we never need to fear. An unjust curse (i.e. without a cause) will never be effective!

WARNING: Don’t become legalistic. Don’t put people under condemnation! Just because someone is experiencing struggles does not mean they have committed a sin or are under a curse. Walk in wisdom and maturity here. (PLEASE)

• Balaam’s Wicked Counsel (Numbers 31:16)

1.     Balaam’s wicked counsel cause the people of God to fall into sin, thus removing them from "Under Divine Cover" and protection.

2.     See Numbers 25:1-9

3.     24,000 people died as a result.

 

How to "Reverse the Curse"

Our attitude and conduct toward the authorities has placed in our lives really does determine the access points (doorways) the enemy has in our lives.

1.     Repent of the sin (rebellion, etc)

2.     Repent and ask the authorities (leaders ……..spiritual and otherwise) whom you have wronged to forgive you.

3.     Ask God to bring you back "Under Divine Cover".

4.     Ask God to break the grip of the enemy in your life and put "the curse in reserve".

5.     Make a covenant with God to stay "Under Divine Cover" and walk in obedience.