Psalm 91 -- 31 Devotions -- Day 16

Day Sixteen
Psalm 91:8
Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
NKJV

I would not have used the word “reward” to describe what the wicked will receive as a result of their depraved lifestyle. Reward conjures up visions of winning a prize. Would we want to “reward the wicked” for their wickedness? Punishment seems like a better word.

In order to understand why the word was translated as “reward,” one must understand the Hebrew word “peri.”

Peri has three meanings.
The tangible fruit produced by a plant
The offspring of the womb
The consequences or the result of a particular action

The “reward” of the wicked is actually the fruit produced by living an ungodly life. The reward will be the consequences of a wicked lifestyle. A closer look at the writings of the Apostle Paul will help us understand this “reward.”

Read Galatians 5:17-21. It is interesting to note in these verses that there is a particular lifestyle that will bring destruction into a person’s life. Paul speaks of this lifestyle in verses 19-21 when he describes the characteristics of the “flesh life.” In the second part of verse 21 he states that those who practice this kind of lifestyle will not inherit the kingdom of God. These are very strong words. Christians can sin and still inherit the Kingdom of God. This verse must be speaking to the unbeliever. Although a Christian may commit some of the sins Paul lists, it is highly unlikely that a believer would actually want to continue in the lifestyle that Paul describes.

The reward is the offspring of the curse of sin. The reward of the wicked in Psalm 91 is the “tangible fruit” produced by living an ungodly lifestyle. . The reward is the consequences or the result of a particularly fleshly action in the life of a person.

The Christian has two choices:
Walk according to the flesh (vs. 19-21) where one will reap the consequences of living an ungodly life. Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (NKJV) Satan will use these sins in our lives to kill, steal and destroy the abundant blessings in which Jesus wants us to live.
Walk according to the Spirit (vs. 22-23) where one is filled with the fruit (reward) of the Holy Spirit. By faith we make the choice to appropriate the abundant life of Christ in us each day so that the Spirit is giving us the reward of “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

Psalm 91 -- 31 Devotions -- Day 15

Day Fifteen
Psalm 91:8
Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. NKJV

We have learned that small words in the Scriptures are sometimes the most powerful. Yesterday we celebrated the little word “but.” Today there is another small and seemingly insignificant word that packs a huge punch of power in our study: ONLY

To speak the word “only” without using it in a sentence is somewhat comical. Say it a few times. Only..only...only! This word may sound comical but praise God, it is powerful!
The dictionary defines ONLY as an adverb with many uses. It means: without others or anything further; alone; solely; exclusively. Today’s verse is very clear. We will ONLY see the reward of the wicked. Only seeing it with our eyes! We will not receive the reward of the wicked. Praise God! Tomorrow you will understand more fully the reward of the wicked.

This powerful little word ushers God’s grace into our lives. Read James 4:4-6. In these verses James says that whoever wants to be a friend of “the world” will make himself an enemy of God. The “wicked” in our verse for today are those who have made friends with the world. They are the ones who have turned their backs on the grace of God.

Those of us who have submitted to the Lordship of Christ have been given “more grace.”(v. 6.) We will not receive our just reward (which should be punishment) for our rebellion against God. Instead, we have been graced by God! We have been given a measure of protection. We will “solely, exclusively without others or anything further” see what is coming to the “friends of the world – the wicked” but their punishment will not touch us!! Because of God’s grace we have been justified, sanctified and glorified!

Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
(NKJV)

I am so thankful that God has provided not ONLY salvation, but protection and the promise of our verse for today!

Back from Vacation

We are back from vacation. I will post from Psalm 91 tomorrow. I just don't have it in me to write it tonight! Keep checking back.

Vacation!

I am on vacation beginning right now! I will not be posting again until next Monday, July 28th! Debbie and I are going to the beach! Check back next week!

Psalm 91 -- 31 Devotions -- Day 14

Day Fourteen
Psalm 91:7
A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. NKJV

In today’s emphasis we have one of the most powerful and wonderful words in all of scripture. The word is small however without it scripture would paint a grim existence for us. If the word of God is “sharper than an two-edged sword” then the point of that sword is “BUT.” I am so thankful for “but” in the scripture for today. Read it again. Read it one more time! Oh yes, my friends, thousands may be falling all around you BUT...BUT...BUT... the destruction does not come near us! How can it be?

Remember to always keep these verses in context. (Day 13) We must always interpret Old Testament (old covenant) scripture though New Testament (new covenant) understanding. Remember all of the Old Testament was written BEFORE the cross of Christ.

New Covenant Interpretation: Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NKJV) Do you see the similarity between Psalm 91 and Romans 6:23?

A thousand may fall at your side....for the wages of sin is death
BUT it shall not come near you.....BUT the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus

Do you see why I am so excited about that little word “but?” “BUT” ushers in the grace of God. Without the BUT of these verses, you and I would be in big trouble! Consider what Romans 6:23 would mean for you without the BUT!

“For the wages of sin is death.”

Have you sinned? Of course you have sinned! Without the BUT you are dead! BUT, with the BUT Psalm 91 and Romans 6:23 promises us protection, deliverance and eternal life! Praise God for BUT!!!

Psalm 91 -- 31 Devotions -- Day 13

Day Thirteen
Psalm 91:7
A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. NKJV

Have you ever felt unprotected? Vulnerable? Have you ever suffered from SDS? (Sitting Duck Syndrome) Many people all around you are sitting ducks, and are in the direct line of fire from Satan’s “fiery darts.” We have been learning that we have protection from those flaming arrows of deceit as we rest in the proctection and provision of the Almighty!

Protection is a wonderful commodity in the life of the believer. God has given us many promises in His Word concerning His protection. Verse 7 is just one of those precious promises.

As we study through Psalm 91 we must always keep these verses in context. We must always interpret Old Testament (old covenant) scripture though New Testament (new covenant) understanding. Remember all of the Old Testament was written BEFORE the cross of Christ.

Context: Verse 7 promises protection for those who are in the “secret place of the Most High.” Verse 1 frames the context for the rest of the Psalm. The provision, protection and promises are only for those who have found themselves in that secret place. As we have already learned, that secret place is in Christ.

Thousands of people around you may be falling prey to Satan’s schemes and will literally die and go to hell. “Ten thousand” is better translated in the Hebrew as “myriads.” In other words large numbers of people very close to you (at your side and your right hand) are affected by the destruction brought on by sin.

The good news is that we are protected from the wages of sin which is death. (Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden -- READ Genesis 3) Because of what Jesus did on the cross, the curse of sin is canceled! Thousands around us may be perishing in their sin, but death will not take us! We live forever! (John 3:16) Christians do not suffer from SDS! We are NOT sitting ducks! Praise God!

Psalm 91 -- 31 Devotions -- Day 12

~Day Twelve~
Psalm 91:6
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
NKJV

Today is day twelve. We are almost to the half way mark in our daily devotional study of Psalm 91. Today brings us to the last of the situations in this powerful Psalm in which we are compelled to use the “shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one.”

Terror by night
Arrows that fly by day
Pestilence that walks in darkness
The destruction that lays waste at noonday

The word “destruction” in Hebrew is an interesting word. It is used most often when describing the devastating effects of a horrific storm. It is the kind of destruction that destroys and then carries away the debris.

When I was doing the study on this word I was reminded of a horrible storm that occurred on Palm Sunday, 1994 in my home town of Piedmont, Alabama. The storm completely destroyed the Goshen United Methodist Church buildings. Ninety people were injured and twenty people lost their lives that day. As television footage began to stream into our homes, we sat in awe of the physical destruction of the properties in that community. Debris had been carried for miles. A childhood friend of mine lost everything that day. His house was completely destroyed. The mailbox post was sucked out of the ground never to be seen again!
Because of the destruction and loss of life the state of Alabama has spent millions of dollars on tornado warning systems.

Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” (John 10:10 – emphasis mine -- NKJV) According to Jesus, Satan has made it his purpose to steal, kill and destroy the abundant life of every Christian. Unfortunately, many times we drop the shield of faith and allow our joy to be swept away in the tornado of satanic confusion. When this happens the unmistakable path of the storm can be seen in our lives. Debris (consequences of our sin) will be scattered all around.

Consider this devotional a warning for the approaching storm! Satan will bring the storms of life your way! Take cover now! Hold up the shield of faith and proclaim victory over Satan

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 (NKJV)

No Psalm 31 Today

I am busy in GA with a wedding -- I will be back with Psalm 91 in a day or two. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Psalm 91 -- 31 Devotions -- Day 11

Day Eleven
Psalm 91:6
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
NKJV

Day Eleven brings us to the third of the list of four situations in which we are compelled to use the “shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one.”

Terror by night
Arrows that fly by day
Pestilence that walks in darkness
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language defines the word pestilence as a pernicious, evil influence or agent. (Reference -- estilence. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved November 13, 2006, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pestilence. Barnes Notes teaches that the movement of this pestilence, (evil influence or agent) which is described in the English translation as “walks,” actually “seems to creep along as if in the night; that is, where one cannot mark its progress, or anticipate when or whom it will strike.” (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)
Sounds like Satan to me! Evil influence! Agent of Evil! Absolutely! The aforementioned commentary from Barnes Notes is a perfect description of how “your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. “ (1 Peter 5:8) He slithers into our lives, creeping along, in the darkness anticipating when to strike.
I have more good news for you today! The Psalmist has promised us that living in the truth of God’s Word and walking under the protection of the shield of faith is the place to be for protection from that slithering snake named Satan! When I was a child my mother taught me that there were certain things to do to keep the snakes away. I remember once when we sprinkled moth balls around the vegetable garden as a barrier to keep the snakes away.
Hallelujah! Praise God! He has surrounded us! He has placed a barrier between Satan and us! He has covered us with His feathers (protection). He has bought and covered us with the blood of Jesus. Satan may slither into our lives and try to devour us with his pestilence but God is more powerful! You do not have to be afraid of the pestilence that walks in darkness!
Call upon the name of Jesus today! Rebuke Satan in Jesus name. Read James 4:7. Submit to God, resist (rebuke) Satan and watch him run away!! You do not have to live in fear!

Psalm 91 -- 31 Devotions -- Day 10

Day Ten
Psalm 91:5
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
NKJV

Day 9 gave us the promise of deliverance from fear. Read Psalm 91:5a. “You shall not be afraid...”

President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” I agree with the spirit of President Roosevelt’s statement because of the nature of fear. Fear paralyzes its victim!

When we lived near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park we regularly visited the Cades Cove picnic area. On more than one occasion a black bear would wander into the picnic area looking for food. These bears are beautiful but very dangerous. In order to neutralize this powerful creature the Park Ranger would shoot the bear with a tranquilizer dart. The bear would take a few steps and fall lifeless to the ground. The bear was not dead, just unconscious and totally at the mercy of the Park Ranger.

Have you ever been so afraid of or about something that you felt paralyzed with fear? Satan uses fear in a Christian’s life in much the same way the Park Ranger uses tranquilizer darts. Satan will shoot his fiery darts at Christians hoping that they will become so afraid that the fear they are experiencing will literally paralyze them spiritually. Many times this fear hinders the Christian from something God is calling them to do. Fear wins over obedience. Unfortunately this happens more often than most Christians would like to admit. They fall into a catatonic spiritual state and seem to be at the mercy of Satan.

The good news for you today is that Satan’s arrows must penetrate the covering of God in the Christian’s life. We get into big trouble when we do not trust God. Faith is the covering of God. Psalm 91 says that we do not have to be afraid of the “arrow that flies by day.” Do you remember the shield of faith from Ephesians 6:16? Its purpose is to “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” It is your faith in God, through Jesus, that quenches Satan’s paralyzing darts of fear.

I have some very serious questions for you today.
Where is your faith?
Are you using your faith as a shield or are you walking in naked disobedience, fully vulnerable to the fiery darts of the wicked one?

Psalm 91 -- 31 Devotions -- Day 9

Day Nine
Psalm 91:5
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
NKJV

One of the blessings of truth is that in most cases it will kill the power of fear. The fear of the unknown is sometimes the worst kind of fear. Fear of the unknown is the kind of fear the Psalmist addresses in verse 5 -- “...the terror by night.”

When are we most vulnerable? It is definitely while we are sleeping. We surrender total control when we sleep. The “unknown” happens while we sleep.

As a former Youth Pastor I have spent many sleepless nights on retreats and youth activities because I did not trust what might happen when I put myself at the mercy of my youth group. Before I go to bed at our home, the last thing I do is to set the security system so that there will be no surprises as I surrender into sleep. When I stay in a motel I always check the door to make sure it is locked before I turn out the lights and go to sleep. There have been many times when I have been awakened suddenly and found myself experiencing sheer terror!

We have an incredible promise from the Word of God today. “You shall not be afraid...” Wow, that statement is very bold. “You shall not....” gives me great hope because this is a statement of fact – the truth – not an opinion or an option. I have great hope because I know that my feelings are going to follow what I believe. Change your thoughts...change your life!

Consider the truth in Paul’s writing to Timothy. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7 – NKJV – emphasis mine) The kind of fear about which the Psalmist is writing is not from God. Knowing the truth about the origin of fear is to begin living in the truth of this statement: “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night...” God has given us a very practical tool by which we can combat the terrors of night. It is simply PRAYER. Each evening as I close my eyes I pray a prayer that goes something like this: “Father, be the Lord of my sleep tonight. Please protect me and my family!” God always honors that prayer. Many times I have fallen asleep peacefully while I am praying. There has not been a single time that I have had a nightmare or terror by night when I have drifted off to sleep in the arms of my Savior! Try this prayer in your own life! God will honor a prayer that shows we trust Him.

God wants us to trust Him. What are you afraid of? Psalm 91 is full of truth. Change your thoughts...change your life!

Time Off ~ Happy 4th!!

Hey Everybody!
I hope you have a great July 4th Holiday! I am taking a couple of days off so I will not be blogging again until Monday, July 7th. Please come back!

Tim

Psalm 91 -- 31 Devotions -- Day 8

~Day Eight~
Psalm 91:4
He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
NKJV

Five of the happiest years of my life were spent on the ministerial staff of First Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee – right in the heart of the beautiful Smoky Mountains. Because of the many wise people in that church, I learned much about ministry that has helped me immensely since that time. My secretary at the church, Mildred Louise Large, was one of those wise people. She is one of the most “truthful” people I have ever met so it stands to reason that she would be a strong proponent of “truth.” Whenever I became distraught about something or someone, Louise would look me straight in the eyes, make me focus on the truth of that situation, and say, “Tim Childers, the truth will stand when the world is on fire.” I could ALWAYS (and still do!) count on Louise to tell me the truth about anything....even when I did not want to hear the truth.

“His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” (emphasis mine)

The theme throughout Psalm 91 is the blessings and protection in the presence of God, the Most High. In the last half of verse 4 the psalmist introduces the “how to” of the protection we enjoy. We have learned that there is a secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty, our refuge and fortress who covers us with His feathers. How does the Most High God protect us? The answer to that question is simply: TRUTH!

Let’s go a little deeper today. Really think about this. What language does Satan speak? According to John 8:44 Jesus is very clear that Satan’s native language is lying. Jesus even calls Satan the father of lies. When Satan or one of his agents of darkness speaks to you it will be in their native tongue – lies! He will set his snare to catch you through lying to you. Our Protector, the Most High God combats these lies in our lives through TRUTH.

The truth of God is described as a shield and buckler – the picture of armor – the protection for a soldier going into battle. In Ephesians 6 Paul uses the armor of the Roman soldier to describe the protection we have in Christ.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, Ephesians 6:14 (NKJV – emphasis mine)

The Roman armor was held together by girding (wrapping) the armor to the mid-section. The belt held the armor together. To remove the belt was to remove the armor. Hence, to remove truth or to believe the lies of Satan is to remove the protection of God in our lives. God wants us to walk in the truth.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6 – NKJV)
Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

“Gird up” your LIFE with truth today. The truth will stand when the world is on fire!

Psalm 91 -- 31 Devotions -- Day 7

~Day Seven~
Psalm 91:4
He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
NKJV

What happens to you after the Father has delivered you from the snares of the old fowler himself --- Satan? What is God’s plan for you on a daily basis? Verse 4 is a wonderful preview of the intimate relationship with God that we can enjoy daily. God gave us this relationship when He placed us “in Christ.”

Think of a place where you have felt cozy, safe, warm and comfortable. I remember such a place in my childhood home.

The back half of our house was not heated in the winter. Obviously the temperature dropped very low in my bedroom. Brrrrr! It was COLD in there! The good news is that I had an electric blanket. My bedtime was 9:00 p.m. each evening. Thirty minutes before bedtime I would go to my room and switch on the power to my blanket. There were actually times when the steam of my breath was visible. I would run as fast as I could and jump under the covers. I can still feel the warmth of that electric blanket on my feet. I felt safe and secure in the refuge of those electric covers!

We have a wonderful promise in verse 4: Covers! The psalmist uses the metaphor of feathers to describe the covering which belongs to us as children of God. Feathers are an interesting creation of God. In doing a little research on the subject of feathers I discovered that they have basically two functions: Insulation and flight. Insulation provides a covering that protects the bird. Flight serves as a means of deliverance from one place to another.

As we discovered on Days Five and Six, the wings of the Father has “delivered” you from the pestilence and destruction of the curse of sin to an abundant life of blessings. He has done this through the death and resurrection of is Son, Jesus. Now His desire is to cover you “as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.” (Matthew 23:27) The Psalmist calls this covering a “refuge.” It is, my friend the safest place you can be today. It is a place where the Father gathers you, covers you and “insulates” you with the righteousness of Christ. I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! (2 Corinthians 5:21) Indescribable joy fills me as I write these words! Satan cannot have me! I belong to Jesus! How about you?