PSALM 93 - OUR SOVEREIGN LORD

 INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 93 & Isaiah 6:1-8

This is a short psalm, written by David, in honour of our SOVEREIGN LORD and HIS KINGDOM. Does He have a throne and wear robes? Is he mighty and can triumph over His enemies? Is He faithful and holy? According to David - He does and He is!

This is also a psalm of  omnipotent sovereignty, as David remembers that even though he had opposition throughout his life, the Lord continued to reign. 

"Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendour, for everything in Heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the Kingdom; You are exalted as Head over all."  1 Chronicles 29:11 (NIV)

According to Isaiah, when He was called to serve, the Lord was indeed His Sovereign and Holy Lord. He overwhelmingly described the experienced of when he came face to face with Him.

"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty. the whole earth is full of His glory." Isaiah 6:3 (NIV)

God is the same Sovereign Lord, as He was in Isaiah and David's time. Just like David and Isaiah, I endeavour to live every day in God's presence, and I picture my Sovereign Lord and Father as One who holds me in His powerful, caring hands.

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the baby she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have carved you on the palm of my hand." 

                                                                     Isaiah 49:15-16 (NIV)

"The Lord is indeed King over all the earth - eternal, almighty. His love never changes. His Temple is forever Holy with His presence." Pat & David Alexander

THE LORD REIGNS - Read Psalm 93 & Matthew 6:9-13

The Lord reigns GLORIOUSLY & POWERFULLY; ETERNALLY; TRIUMPHANTLY AND MIGHTY; IN TRUTH AND HOLINESS.

1. Gloriously & Powerfully

"Indeed the Lord is robed in MAJESTY and armed with STRENGTH." Psalm 93:2a (NLT)

The word MAJESTY describes a reflection of our God's nature. Words like "glory, honour, praise, kingdom and authority" point to His exaltation position and His role as our King. The well known praise and worship chorus, "Majesty" highlights words like His "throne, crown, and kingdom", and give us the "unique and overwhelming priviledge to know and be loved by the King of Kings". 

When you say "Thy Kingdom Come" , you are inviting the Lord into your world. "Come my King". Take Your throne and be present in my heart and life. 

"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need." Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

The Lord's power is felt in His Kingdom and is established in our hearts. He is clothed in strength and is always powerful. When we say, "They Will Be Done" we are trusting in GOD'S OMNIPOTENCE and we are praying for guidance in every area of our lives.

"Hosanna! Hosanna! All power is in Thine hands and we rejoice to have it." Charles Spurgeon

2. Eternally

"Your throne was established long ago; You are from all ETERNITY." Psalm 93:2b

"From everlasting to everlasting; Thy throne is established of old; Thou art from everlasting."

                                                                    Adam Clarke

It is an everlasting Kingdom for the Lord Himself is eternal. Jeremiah knew that God had an eternal purpose for his life and His people the Israelities. Because God promised, "His Will Be Done". 

We don't always understand God's will, but as God promised Jeremiah, they will be good plans, because we have "sat down in His house" and have "sought the heart of God".

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all my heart." 

                                   Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)

3. Triumphant & Mighty

"Mightier than the thunder of the great waters. Mightier than breakers of the sea. THE LORD ON HIGH IS MIGHTY." Psalm 93:3&4

The Lord had opposition: but he overcame it. Satan was not just an angel who wanted to worship God, he wanted to occupy His throne and take over His Kingdom. He has absolutely no power - only what God permitted. 

Yes, we have trials, rebellion and opposition; just like the "thunder" and "breakers" of the sea, but our Sovereign Lord is MIGHTY and he sits on His throne. He will only allow what we, His Children, can endure. He is "JEHOVAH - SHALOM" - "THE LORD IS PEACE"

"You, dear children, are from God, and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 (NIV)

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But, take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV)

God rarely tells us the reasons why He allows suffering, but He does ask us to trust Him even when we don't have the answers. Now and then GOD'S MIGHT brings healing and restoration, and turns a situation around. At other times, our MIGHTY GOD might choose to sustain us through the trial. We will never lose hope as long as we trust in God's character - HIS MIGHTY STRENGTH. 

Are you facing a challenge today? Ask God to walk with you through your difficulties and to reveal Himself through it. 

"The unlimited sovereignty and irresistible power of the great Jehovah are very encouraging to the people of God when they meet all the noise and rush of the world." Matthew Henry

4. Truth & Holiness

"Your royal laws cannot be changed. Your reign, O Lord, IS HOLY FOREVER." Psalm 93:5

God's Word and Promises are TRUE. They are as "sure as the rocks that are immovable in the sea". They are unbreakable because of His FAITHFULNESS AND HOLINESS. 

"Hallowed be Thy Name" means that GOD IS HOLY , a "cut above -superior and extroadinary". The Holy One dwells on a different level from the rest of us, but we can still seek His presence. 

"When you set your sights on God you focus on the One who is a cut above any stormy life may bring." Max Lucado

CONCLUSION

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10a

Be still, be quiet, be open and willing. Then you will know that the Lord is Sovereign. Are you troubled and restless? Then rejoice in the Lord's glory, omnipotence, omniscience, faithfulness and holiness. 

"You will keep in perfect peace those minds are steadfast, because they trust in You."

                                                                                                  Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

                           YOUR ANXIETY DECREASES
                 AS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR                                         SOVEREIGN FATHER INCREASES

The Holy Bible, "New International Version", 2011, Biblica

The Holy Bible, "New Living Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers

Go Fish, Kids Music, "My God is So Big", 2012, You Tube

Hayford, Jack, "Majesty", 1980, New Spring , You Tube. 

Alexander, Pat & David, "The Lion Handbook to the Bible", 2009, Lion

Henry, Matthew, "Psam 93 - The New Matthew Henry Commentary" , 2021, Blue Letter Bible. com

Lucado, Max, "The Great House of God - The Home of the Heart.", 1997, Thomas Nelsom

Spurgeon, Charles, "The Treasury Of David - Commentary on Psalms", 1885, 2021, Christianity..com

PSALM 92 - WORSHIP GOD'S VIRTUESS

 INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 92

This Psalm was probably written by David, intended for God's people. It was to be sung on the Sabbath Day in the synagogue. Why? Not so much because it was a day of rest, but because it was A DAY OF WORSHIP, when God's people could celebrate with music and song, HIS VIRTUES - HIS LOVE, FAITHFULNESS, RIGHTEOUSNESS, OMNIPOTENCE AND OMNISCIENCE.

It goes on to celebrate GOD'S GOODNESS to His people who had followed God's will and lived according to His Word - righteous living even unto their old age.

"Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you"

                                                                                Matthew 6:33 

"The Jews have a long time used this Psalm in their synagogue, to worship on the Sabbath, because on this day above all others, their thoughts were to be on earthly things, but on God Himself." 

                                                                                                Charles Spurgeon

WORSHIPPING GOD - Read Psalm 92: 1-8; Matthew 5:1-12

The first verses of this Psalm shows how we can worship and honour God, with many aspects and expressions. 

1. In the Morning and Evening

We must praise God in the morning and in the evening, not just on the Sabbath day, but every day of the week; not just in Church services, but in private and on family gatherings. 

"It is good to praise the Lord  ad make music to your name, O Most High. Proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night." Psalm 92:1&2

We can show thanksgiving and praise by singing and using musical instruments, in David's case, usually the harp and lyre.

2. Living Like the Lord

We need to praise God by sharing His attributes to the world. King David discerned in this Psalm good and evil, by declaring God's character and virtues as our criteria for living. 

In Matthew 5, Jesus begins his famous Sermon on the Mount with what we call "The Beautitues". These are a list of virtues that God's children were encouraged to live by. These too were similar to those of our Lord - HUMILITY, MEEKNESS, RIGHTEOUSNESS, MERCY, PURITY AND PEACE.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled." 

                                                                                   Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

3. Follow God's Will and Plans

God has given us the joy of His works and we can have triumph over our enemies, if we follow the ways of the Lord and not focusing on ourselves. Our triumph is found not on what WE DO FOR GOD, but what HE DOES FOR US. 

"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you faslsely for My sake. 

PSALM 91 - FACING TEMPTATION

INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 91, Matthew 4:1-11,        Ephesians 6:10-18

In this Psalm we hear the confident voice of God, encouraging and reassuring us as we face TEMPTATION AND TESTING. Christians often feel that nothing can touch us when we are under God's protection, but even Jesus faced TEMPTATION from the devil himself.

"Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is ale to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2:18 (NIV)

In Matthew 4:5&6 we see how the devil used these words from Psalm 91:11&12 to tempt Jesus. Yet Jesus was not going to let Himself be put to the test, even though He trusted in His Father's promises. 

"Then the devil took Him to the Holy City and had Him stand on the highest point of the Temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw Yourself down. For it is written: "He will command His angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."  Jesus answered, "It is also written, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test". 

                                                                                         Matthew 4:5-7 (NIV)

There is little doubt about the tone of this Psalm - it is about warfare and conflict, but our enemy is of a spiritual nature. There is of course a promise of angelic assistance and Divine deliverance, and it talks about the battle in a spiritual realm. Our enemy comes at us with "supernatural strength" and we need a "supernatural helper".

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take you stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world and the against the spiritual forces of evil in the Heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand"  Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)

"Psalm 91 is written to dwellers - those who draw daily, habitual strength from the Lord as they sustain an intimacy of fellowship and nearness with Him." Charles Swindoll

GOD'S PROTECTIVE CARE THROUGH TEMPTATION -       Read Psalm 91:1-10

1. GOD - OUR SHELTER & SHADOW

We must never forget that Christians are not removed from temptations, but Jesus promised to protect us.

"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one"

                                                                           John 17:15  (NIV)

Mark and I have never lived and worked in a "worldly environment" - private schools, Defence Forces, Public Transport - and now as we travel around Australia with the Circus.  God deliberately did not remove us from the "world", but He did give us the opportunity to be "seed planters". We made sure we DWELL  in the "SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH"  and ABIDE in the "SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY".

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty." 

                                                                                     Psalm 91:1 (NLT)

The word "dwell" means  "to remain", "to abide", "to have fellowship with" and "to draw strength from", in this case, the Lord Jesus Christ and His Father. We need to be constantly aware of His presence. "God Most High" is the "Almighty", "All Sufficient One", "El Shaddai", and for this Psalmist He is the "destroyer of our enemies."

2. GOD IS OUR REFUGE

The Lord is also said to be our REFUGE where we can find our SAFETY and REST. If we continue to walk with Him we can count on Him for deliverance when things get tough. This is why is essential that we call on Him today in TRUST.

"This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him." Psalm 91:2  (NLT)

"Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5&6

Imagine you are a bird "engulfed in a fowler's trap". Hannah W Smith talks about the "snags of the fowler's trap" (Psalm 91:3), or for the Christian, they may be "hindrances to flying". They, like us, have been "baited" by something that is "deceptively attractive".  The bird may may be imprisoned in a cage or have a damaged wing, making it impossible to fly.    For a Christian, our soul may be "entrapped in a snare of doubt". 

"Like the birds we wonder why we cannot mount up. We must use both wings or we cannot fly at all.

Temptations lead to doubt, lack of surrender, indulgent in sin, fear and anxieties."

                                                                              Hannah W Smith

We, like the birds, can be rescued,  "separated from the trap" and covered under the "wings" of it's mother (Father). 

"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, shall walk and not faint."  ISAIAH 40:31 (NIV)

"Surely He will save you from the fowlers snare......He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter You with His wings." Psalm 91:3a & 4a

3. GOD'S FAITFUL PROTECTION

"God's faithful promises are your armour and protection." Psalm 91:4b

Finally, when we are in the centre of a battle, we need to trust in GOD'S SHIELD OF FAITHFULNESS. Like a soldier has a protective barrier from their enemies arrows, we too can be protected from the devil's attacks. 

Verses 5&6 are seen as spiritual battles rather than merely pestilence and natural disasters.   Our enemy the devil will stop at nothing to make us afraid. Intimidation is one of his "sharpest tools". Yet the Psalmist assures us that we don't have to fear, for we can TRUST IN GOD'S FAITHFULNESS.

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around around his waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the SHIELD OF FAITH with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Ephesians 6:14-16   (NIV)

"In the heat of battle, when the enemy attacks become too much to bear, the faithfulness of God is ther for their protection - HIDE BEHIND HIM." Charles R. Swindoll

ANGELS ASSISTANCE WHEN WE ARE TEMPTED -        Read Psalm 91:11&12, Matthew 4:5-7

"For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet.' Psalm 91:11-13 (NLT)

Lions and snakes (cobras) are both symbols of the devil's power. The Lord has also promised to protect us from his tactical attacks. It makes sense that He will send supernatural beings - ANGELS - to protect us wherever we go and hold us up with His hands. 

Jesus knew this power when He was tempted by the devil, but He was not going to let Himself be tested. 

"Jesus answered him, "It is also written, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test". 

                                                                            Matthew 4:7 (NIV)

David also reminds us throughout the Psalms that the Lord and His angels continue to lift us up when we fall. They watch each of our steps, and hold us up by their hands. I know many people, including 

my Mum who believe that Angels gave always been there by her side when she is unwell. I believe angels are not just by our side, 'to guard, watch over and take care of us' when we are physically weak, but when we are mentally, emotionally and spiritually attacked. 

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand." Psalm 37:23&24 (NLT)

SECURITY IN GOD'S PROMISES THROUGH TEMPTATION - Read Psalm 91:14-16, Ephesians 6:10-17

In the last verses in this Psalm, God gives us a real promises:

"I will deliver him. I will set him secularly on high." Verse 14

"He will answer your prayer and will be with you in trouble, rescuing and honouring you." V15

"God will satisfy your every need, particularly that of salvation." Verse 16

These are promises that we can claim! If you use these as a "practical guide", by faith you can find you "live beyond the grind of the enemy attack.". We can be sure that "we have assurance" - that God is our Protector. Why? Because of the Promises in His Word - "the sword of the spirit".

God also expects us to STAND FIRM ON HIS WORD - His promises are our strength, He tells us that we are in a spiritual battle and are all "good soldiers of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:3). We need our armour , especially our Sword- God's Promises in the Word of God.  

"Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 2:3

"For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

                                                                                             Hebrews 4:12

"Take the helmet of salvation, , and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God."

                                                                                      Ephesians 6:17

CONCLUSION - Read 2 Chronicles 20:15-29, Acts 16:16-40

Psalm 91 is a divine truth, a key to victory for those who take refuge in Him. Like Jesus, who faced temptation, we need to remember that we shall:

"Worship the Lord and serve Him only." Matthew 4:10

According to Dr Bill Purvis, "Worship is a highly an effective tool in bringing about breakthrough", and victory in temptation. It can "redirect our focus" on our Victor. It can "make the enemy scatter" and it can be "our testimony to the world." 

"Praise the Lord. He can work through those who Praise Him. Praise the Lord, for the chains that seem to bind you drop powerless behind you, when you Praise Him." Dr Bill Purvis

Christians seem to think that temptation will cease once they are saved. Temptation is not a sin. It is, however, as the hymnwriter, Horatio Palmer, tells us, the sin is when we "Yield to the Temptation" - when we let jealousy, envy, pride, and doubt overpower us.

Horatio Palmer reminds us that when we commit ourselves completely to the Lord and when we put ourselves into His hands, then we can have victory over temptation. This is when we are MORE THAN CONQUERORS. 

"The temptations in your life are no different from others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure. " 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)

"Consider it pure joy, brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its works so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 (NLT)

"Many of us know to live the Christian life in theory, but when the subtle subtle temptation comes we find it easier to submit to the tempter. Horatio Palmer knew what to do:

                           "Ask the Saviour to help you, comfort, strengthen and keep You;

                            He is willing to aide you, He will carry you through."

                                               William J. Peterson, Horatio R.Palmer

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The Holy Bible, "New Living Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers

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2018, Teach 4 the Heart

Peterson, William J, "Hymns - Inspiring Stories about 600 Hymns and Praise Songs", 2006, Tyndale House Publishers

Purvis, Dr Bill, "Worship is my Weapon" , 2021, You Version

Simmons, Dr Brian, "The Psalms -Poems on Fire, The Passion Translation.", 2015, Broadstreet

Swindoll, Charles. R, "Getting Through Tough Stuff" 2004, Thomas Nelson

Swindoll, Charles R, "Living the Psalms - Encouragement for the Daily Grind", 2012, Worthy Publishers

Palmer, Horatio R, "Yield Not to Temptation", (1834-1907)

Steve Anderson