Rose Kainda
It is year-end – yes, less than 24 hours to the end of 2018! For the last couple of weeks, I have been reflecting on the goodness of the Lord. I am so excited to conclude my reflections with this final part of the series – Dwelling in the Presence of the Lord – The Ultimate Package. This is a continuation of what I had already covered in part 4.
I cannot overemphasize the spirit of thankfulness for God’s faithfulness, love and steadfastness, especially at this time of the year, and in consideration of His benefits in 2018. Having said that, let’s get to our scripture references in Psalms 91. Previously, we had looked at the benefits presented in verses 1 through 6.
Continuing, in verses 7-8, the bible assure us of the supernatural protection that God accords us as we dwell in His presence. I do not know how many of you reading this article have experienced a war situation – where missile after missile fly over your roof, if not your head. Where every now and then all you see are dead bodies around you, and at the end of the day, you emerge whole – unarmed!
Supernatural Protection is part of the benefit package for those who dwell in the presence of the Lord.
“A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you. Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked.”
This protection does not apply only in the context of war – it could be in form of an accident, a robbery, sickness – anything really that the enemy uses to achieve his mission of stealing, killing and destroying. The Lord God assures you today, and now as your read, that as you dwell in His presence, you have supernatural protection. Praise the Lord!
In verses 9 to 10, the Psalmist further shows us the heart of God for those who dwell in His presence – No evil shall befall them! Nor any plague or calamity come near their tent! What a great promise! What a great benefit from none other than the Lord God.; He who that has created us in His image; He who that sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for us, even after we had been separated from Him by sin!
And now, He says, to you dear one;
“Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.”
Notice that the only condition to enjoying this great benefit is founded in verse 1 of Psalm 91 – dwelling in the presence of the Lord, and making Him your refuge. Many times we struggle with safety and security issues for ourselves at individual, family, business, and even corporate as well as national levels. It is not fun when every time you enter a shopping mall, a church and many other premises, you have to pass through a security check.
Can you imagine a scenario where all people made the Most High God their dwelling place – there would be peace, there would be safety, there would be trust, there would be love even as God had intended it during creation – because He would take upon himself to secure all since they dwell in Him.
As we dwell in the presence of the Lord, He promises to “give His angels [especial] charge over us to accompany and defend and preserve us in all our ways [of obedience and service].” And these “angels shall bear us up on their hands, lest we dash our feet against a stone.” (Ref: Verses 11-12).
Supernatural protection is a function of dwelling in the presence of the Lord.
Where in the world will one tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent they shall trample underfeet, and yet not be hurt or harmed? This only happens when we dwell in the presence of the Lord. (Ref: Verse 13)
Though we discussed “Deliverance” in the previous article, it further comes as a package together with Elevation & Promotion, in these final verses of Psalm 91.
”Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness—trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].” (Psalm 91:14-15)
Many times when I have read these verses, I try to Imagine God’s attitude, as a King, a Master, and a Creator. He is meditating on an individual who has a personal knowledge of His (God’s) mercy, love and kindness. An individual who trusts and relies on God. An individual who is certain that God will never forsake him, no never! It’s thrilling, my friends! Verses 14 and 15 above represent the voice of our creator, our King, our Lord God, (out of an enthroned state, an exalted state); expressing his joy, and thus His benefits to us – I will set him on high! He who that dwell in the presence of the Lord!
For the simple reason that you and I have set our love upon Him – because we have chosen to exalt Him, to honour Him, to adore Him and to give Him Lordship of our lives – He will deliver us! Halleluyah! And yes, He will not only deliver us, but He will set us up on high. He will elevate us! He will promote us! Why, because we know and understand His Name. And when we call on His Name, will answer; and He will be with us in trouble, He will deliver us and honor us.
God’s ultimate benefit package is not tailored for us to enjoy during our lifetime here on earth only. It is tailored to overflow to our eternity.
Verse 16 notes that,
“With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
The context of salvation presented in the verse above is not ‘giving one’s life to Christ.’ Only a born again believer gets to abide, to dwell on the presence of God, and further enjoy that intimate relationship of having the Lord as a “refuge, and a fortress”. So the salvation brought out in verse 16, is at a much higher level.
You are already born again (and if not, this is a good time to give yourself to the Lord). So the Lord is finally, after satisfying you with all the other benefits, going to save and rescue you from eternal damnation to His eternal glory. You will have your eternity to spend with Him, to worship him and to love Him. You will be crowned with a new body, a supernatural body that will never know or taste pain, hunger or anger; a body that will never know death. You will have been saved from the stealing, killing and destruction of the devil and, translated to God’s eternal Glory. That’s God’s Final Ultimate Benefit for you and I.
So, as we live here on earth enjoying every single benefit, let us not lose focus of the final ultimate benefit – eternity with the Lord God. Let our every single blessing, our benefits aid us to prepare for this final and glorious benefit – eternity with the Lord God.
Praise His holy Name! Amen.
And with only a couple of hours to 2019, it is important that we set ourselves to enjoy God’s benefits even at a higher level. By choosing to dwell in his presence as presented in this series – dwelling in the presence of the Lord – we invite God to lavish his love on us. We invite him to rejoice over us.
So shall you join me in wholesomely thanking God for all his benefits in our lives in 2018? Will you also join me to welcome his dear presence to be our abode in 2019?
Let’s dwell in the presence of the most High God!
Shalom.
Paulie Mugure Mugo
Alison Kiriinya
Colleta Macharia