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
The Holy Bible, "New International Version", 2011, Biblica
The Holy Bible, "New Living Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
Alexander, Pat & David, "The Lion Handbook to the Bible", 2009, Lion Hudson
Karamis, Linda; Smith, Hannah, "Teach Uplifted/A Christian's Secret to a Happy Life",
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
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