In A Frightened World, We Need More Jesus - Part 2477

" ... Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My Name."

And for clarity, His Name is JESUS in this current new testament dispensation of grace -- wherein the name of Jesus (Matthew 1:21-23); Jesus being the ONLY name whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12); the name of Jesus above every other name God used for Himself from the beginning of time. (Philippians 2:90 

Today's message from Psalm 91 is addressed to a world is under siege, wherein the inhabitants -- ordinary people are frightened by the chaos emerging around them. Jesus warned us of these times in Matthew 24 so that believers in Him would never be at a loss to understand the season in which they live. However, for today, we are going to write to those believers who are not grounded in His Word, so that we can be comforted in Jesus own words -- that He will never leave us nor forsake us -- those who believe in Him.

Therefore, from Psalms 91:

"... he [or she] that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler." (Psalm 91:1-4)

Thus, it is in the risen Jesus -- who is both Lord and Christ -- that we do not need to be afraid for the terror by night. Neither should believers fear an arrow that flies by day. As the psalmist dictates, we who believe are not to be afraid for the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday. Why? Because we know in whom we serve! 

We know that He -- JESUS -- is the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending ... and there is nothing -- not one thing in this world that can change His desire to become the Good Shepherd to those who love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength ... and similarly, from His flow -- love our neighbours. 

But David does not stop there in his understanding of this faith journey. We see his boldness when he (as a shepherd boy) slew Goliath with one single pebble taken from the creek. We see his boldness when his enemies surrounded him wherein he continued to trust in the Lord. His faith so bold and unwavering that the Lord God declared David to be a man after His own heart. 

So, what does that mean for us -- in a world that has become so fearful, that people are willing to let governments curtail their freedoms? Our right to worship without interference? Let us continue reading the remainder of Psalms 91, recognizing too (as David proclaims in Psalm 24) that the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof.

"Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day; nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation." (Psalm 91:5-9)

Even though a thousand shall fall at thy side and ten thousand at thy right hand, we need to understand that it shall not come nigh us ... because we have made the Lord our refuge -- even the most High our habitation. Indeed, how blessed we are knowing that our enemies are subdued from harming us -- because we know Jesus, and have made Him to be our all in all.

Moreover, as David writes, "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name." (Psalm 91:10-15)

It may seem like we only have a little strength, (as Jesus points out in Revelation 3:8-9) but in all things, we have kept His Word and not denied His name. And for our faithfulness, Jesus has said that He will make them to come and worship before thy feet, so that they too will know how much I -- Jesus -- have loved thee.

David knew this and proclaimed his trust in the Lord his God throughout the Psalms, and so should we. Yes, we should call upon the Lord and He will answer. As the scripture states, "I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him My salvation." (Psalm 91:15-16)

This is why it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord and to sing praises unto Thy [His] name-- O Most High -- to show forth Thy lovingkindness in the morning and Thy faithfulness every night. For Thou O Lord hast made me glad through Thy work, for this same Lord will not cast off His people, neither will He forsake His inheritance.

So, even in a frightened world who needs Jesus as their Lord God and Saviour even more, we know that this same Lord, clothed with majesty and strength, still reigns. Indeed, He still reigns.

Stand in the offering plate.