Psalm 91: A Safer Harbor

Why so many references these days to Psalm 91? Presently, most folks are looking for a safer harbor. Security and even the illusion of security has disappeared when you assess the world's systems we had so much confidence in five or ten years ago. 

More and more, people of faith are going back to cultivate their roots, digging deeper with prayer and study. When the seen world shakes, it makes sense to turn to the unseen world for stability. It makes sense for a believer to get a firmer grip on the spiritual treasures of his or her faith base. 

Take a look at this treasure. Psalm 91:1 reads: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty (NKJ). Psalm 91 is a treasure chest to be carefully unpacked. Take a close look at what is offered in Psalm 91 and you begin to feel overwhelmed. 

What, protection from every sort of dangerous and destructive circumstance? Wow! You think, "This is just too good!" Yes, it is that good! But, back up. These blessings are not free for the taking. Have a look at how to qualify. 

Qualifying Conditions: Psalm 91:1 gives you the first step in obtaining the following promises. This requirement is to dwell in the Secret Place, to abide up under the Shadow of the Almighty. 

Dwell and abide are the contemporary translations for the Hebrew word yada. When you check the meanings of yada in the Old Testament, notice that the word is indicating a deeply personal sort of knowing. Good example: Adam knew Eve and they produced a child. Yada-ing is an intimate and fruitful relationship. Now you see the first conditional requirement to experience the amazing promises of Psalm 91: develop a yada relationship with God, an intensely personal relationship that produces spiritual life. This is very similar to marriage. Here is a life of focused commitment. 

Abiding (yada-ing) up under the shadow of the Almighty is a step to be taken, a life's priority and a focus to be maintained. Abiding is not something you can check off the list as "finished". This abiding is on-going and defines your life. 

Defines your life! Is there any question why so few people of faith ever personally experience the promises of Psalm 91? But, that does not have to be you. 

Some Action Steps for Qualifying: Abiding under the Shadow of the Almighty is a lifetime pursuit. Here are some strategies for pressing into the Secret Place. Read through to get some ideas. Then, go with what seems to speak to you from this page. Stay flexible. What works for you this week may not work next week. Be ready to try a new strategy or a combination of strategies. Stick with it. The effect is cumulative as you will discover. Here are some suggestions: 

• Develop a mindset of thanksgiving. Be thankful in all things. In doing this, you will be seeing the Lord as central to all that happens in your life. And of course, He is! 

• Spend time seeking the Lord. God is not hiding. Come close to Him and He will draw close to you. Cry out to the Lord and He will answer you. Cultivate the ability to hear Him, because He does answer. Find a mentor to help with this if you have difficulty hearing God speak. 

• Set aside time each day to be silent before the Lord in prayer. You can find extensive tutorials online for doing this. 

• Watch your self-talk. As you spend more time in the Secret Place, your self-talk will reflect it. Check to see what of your present self-talk is disagrees with what God is saying. Locate those thoughts and replace them with truth that comes from Scripture. You will need to do some research to find the appropriate Scriptures to use. Some effort, but well worth it! 

• Bless the time and the atmosphere by playing low volume worship music through the night. Choose music that causes your spirit to be caught up in prayer and worship during waking hours. This is one way to know there is an anointing present. While your body rests, your spirit is soaring in worship. What an economy of time! Also, you know from Scripture that God inhabits (sets His throne on) the praises of His people. So it appears that the Lord is present in some special way when worship is occurring. 

• Play recorded Scripture prayer when your hands are busy but your mind is idle. Take this opportunity to memorize Scripture, to proclaim it in prayer, to change the atmosphere around you as you release the living Word of God. Your mind is being renewed, causing you to think like God thinks. Yes, think like God thinks! 

In Summary: Brief and to the point: Psalm 91:1 is an invitation to not only dwell with the Lord, but to draw up closely to His heart and develop a mutual life, a life lived together. Like marriage, this relationship requires an investment of time and focus. Like any good marriage, the effort is so worth it. No matter where you find yourself on the continuum of intimacy with the Lord, there is always room for improvement. There is no end to the depths of God. So cultivate carefully and water those roots. Get started today to be fully qualified for the blessings of Psalm 91.