Lesson 83 - Junior

Memory Verse

"He is my refuge and my fortress:  my God; in him will I trust" (Psalm 91:2).

Notes

Our Habitation

This well-known Psalm has been read by many who would like to claim its promises. Thee is a condition that one must meet in order to do that. It is in the first verse, which is the key to the rest of the Psalm. In order to abide under the shadow of the Almighty, it is necessary to dwell in the secret place of the Most High. It is the soul that dwells in God who is secure from all evil.

Much depends on the word "dwell." To dwell means to have a fixed abode, and to continue in that place. Our decision must be made to live in the Lord at all times, to be near the Lord -" not to have some of the world and some of the Gospel -" for the Bible tells us that we cannot "serve two masters." Dwelling in God means a complete separation from the world, not even a little leaning toward it. We cannot live for the Lord part of the time and do as we please the rest of the time. To dwell in the Lord means to do the right thing every day, and to be in the centre of His will at all times ([PS:106:3]).

Before the Children of Israel went into the land of Canaan, some spies were sent into the city of Jericho. They stayed at the home of Rahab, who hid them from the king and helped them escape by letting them down over the wall. For doing this, she asked that the Israelites give her a pledge that she would be spared when they came back to capture the city. The spies told her to bind in the window the scarlet cord, by which she let them down over the wall. They warned her that she must stay in the house that had the scarlet cord in the window. If she was out of that house when they came back, they would not spare her. She had to dwell there at all times. It is the same way spiritually; while one lives in the Lord and keeps under the token of the Blood "- that means, is saved -" he is overshadowed by His everlasting arms.

Our Security

This Psalm is quite in contrast with the securities of the world. Many people are putting their trust in temporal things that perish. Perhaps first on the list is money; but those who have plenty of it have found that it has no control of sickness or accident. In some cases, money may help to get one out of trouble but it will not prevent one from getting into trouble. Neither can it buy one's way into Heaven. In I Timothy 6:10 we read that "the love of money is the root of all evil." The Bible also states that the time will come when "man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold . . . to the moles and to the bats" (Isaiah 2:20).

Others try to feel secure in education or armaments. None of these things have yet guaranteed security. And what will men cling to in the day when "Heaven and earth shall pass away"? (Mark 13:31). A Christian's trust and confidence is in the Lord, his fortress and deliverer, at all times and in all circumstances.

Our Refuge and Deliverer

David knew what it was to flee for his life, for Saul sought to slay him. In the 18th Psalm, verse 2, David had the same testimony: "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower"; for he knew that it was the hand of God that delivered him. A Christian finds all he needs in the Lord, while a sinner leans on his own understanding which leads to destruction.

The enemy may even set a trap for your feet, but "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape" (I Corinthians 10:13).

God will not only deliver but He will also cover or shield us. This protection is even greater, for it would take effect before we need deliverance. He is our hiding place. Jesus, in speaking of Jerusalem, said that He would have gathered her children together as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings. Jesus used that example to show the warmth, comfort, protection, and confidence there is in the Lord. He is a refuge at all times: "For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).

Our Protection

During World War II countless young men read this 91st Psalm, which came to be known as "The Pilot's Psalm." They not only read it but believed and proved it. Though men fell beside them, many who trusted in the Lord were protected from death and some were not even harmed.

These promises prove just as effective in time of peace. It is promised to the saved that no evil thing shall happen to him and no plague shall harm him. At the mention of a plague we think of the ten plagues that fell upon the Egyptians. These calamities were sent because they refused to obey God. Not only the people, but, also the land was smitten by God. We remember that, as the plagues became more severe, God made a division between the land of Egypt and the land of Goshen where His people dwelt. The plagues covered the land to the borders of Goshen but did not enter. God will not do less today for those who put their trust in Him.

Charge over Thee

The Lord has provided the heirs of salvation with ministering spirits, the angels to watch over them ([HEB:1:14]). This thought has been beautifully portrayed in a painting entitled "The Guardian Angel," which shows an angel watching over two children as they cross a dangerous bridge. This picture has been the source of faith and hope to many. It is loved by children and adults, because through it fear has been replaced by trust.

All God's children have been protected by the angel of the Lord. They can see how the hand of the Lord delivered them in times of danger, in things both great and small. Many times they have experienced protection through the Bible, or a portion of it, Christian literature, or prayer.

It was part of this Psalm that the devil quoted when he tempted Jesus. He set Him on a pinnacle of the Temple and said, "If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge over the, to keep thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone" (Luke 4:9-11). The devil can quote Scripture; but here, as usual, he misquoted or misapplied it.

Jesus answered him by saying, "It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." Just as Jesus obeyed those words, so they must be obeyed today. In Psalm 91 we read that a Christian might walk upon a lion or serpent without harm. But he will not deliberately do it lest he tempt God; neither will he do any other dangerous thing to presume upon God.

Your Love Set upon Him

This 91st Psalm can be your testimony, too. To him who sets his love upon the Lord, He has promised deliverance in time of trouble and an answer when he calls. In Isaiah 65:24 we are told, "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."

It is necessary for you to make the Lord your dwelling place in order to claim these promises. The Lord asks little of you in return for the many things He gives. In Micah 6:8 we read, "What doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"

Questions

1. To whom are the promises in this Psalm given?

2. How can we know that we are dwelling in the secret place of the Most High?

3. How is the Lord our fortress?

4. What is our shield and buckler?

5. Who has charge over the saints, to keep them?

6. What does it mean to tempt God?

7. Read Apostolic Faith tract No. 11, "The Pilot's Psalm."