Abiding in God's Presence

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

Psalm 91 is a psalm about God’s protection on a believer’s life. As a Christian, you can confidently say: “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust” (91:2). Truly, it is the righteous who know the Lord as their strong tower and refuge. “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day” (91:5).

A great concern of every soldier is a night attack by the enemy. No amount of training could prepare a soldier for the fusillade of enemy arrows hidden by the dark of night. Even the most adept soldier is vulnerable to an arrow shot haphazardly. “Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday” (91:6). Pestilence speaks of sicknesses, diseases, plagues and epidemics. “A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you” (91:7). It is recorded that George Washington was seemingly immune to the attacks by the Indians. When General MacArthur was trying to retake the Pacific Islands, he remained calmly erect while others around him fell to the ground as ammunition shells bombarded them.

God wants to protect you from all intentional and unintentional dangers. But the loving care and protection of the Lord are conditional upon three “becauses.”

Firstly, “because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place” (91:9). You have to decide to draw near to God’s presence. When you choose to continuously dwell in the presence of God, you will continuously experience His protection over your life.

Secondly, “because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him” (91:14). This conundrum can be clearly understood from the example of a family. Parents have disavowed their children because of their disobedience and lack of natural affection for them. It is the same with our heavenly Father. He wants His children to love Him, and if you do, you will be guaranteed of His protection.

Thirdly, “because he has known My name, I will set him on high” (91:14p). Obviously, this does not speak of knowing His name in an intellectual capacity, but experientially. And although God is known by many names, possibly the most important name is “the Father.” In one sense, “Father” is an all-encompassing name from which fl ows all the other qualities and names of God. The Father’s ears are always open to the cry of His obedient child: “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him” (91:15). More than that, you will inherit and experience the precious promises of the Father in heaven (91:16).