Sermon Recap+ Sept 28, 2025

Psalm 91 is a beautiful passage that reminds us of God's protection and care. Though its author is unknown (some attribute it to Moses based on the language), this psalm stands out because it begins by addressing "you" and shifts to God speaking in first person around verse 14 - a unique feature worth noting.

The Choice of Where We Live Spiritually

"You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty..." The psalm begins with a profound truth: we have a choice about where we spiritually dwell. God offers His shelter but won't force us to enter it. This divine dwelling place isn't a physical structure but the presence of El Elyon (the Most High). God is the perfect host who has prepared everything for us. When we choose to live in His shelter and abide in His shadow, we position ourselves to experience His protection and care.

What Does It Mean to "Abide" with God?

Living and abiding are different concepts. Living somewhere is one thing, but abiding means making that place your own. God not only invites us to visit His presence but to settle in and make ourselves at home. He wants us to be comfortable enough to bring our whole selves into relationship with Him. When we make this choice to abide with God, we can then declare with confidence: "My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."

How Does God Protect His People?

The psalm uses beautiful imagery to describe God's protection:

"He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge."

This isn't harsh, rigid protection like walls or armor. Instead, it's the gentle yet secure protection of wings. Think of the tenderness with which you'd hold a newborn baby - gentle yet secure. God is "strong enough to be gentle" in how He protects us. His faithfulness becomes "a shield and buckler" - defensive equipment that protects us from harm. A buckler is actually a small shield (6-18 inches), which means we must position ourselves closely behind it to receive its protection.

What Role Do Angels Play in God's Protection?

"For he will command his angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone." These verses (11-12) were actually quoted by Satan when tempting Jesus to jump from the temple. Jesus refused to test God by putting himself in unnecessary danger. Interestingly, Scripture doesn't portray Jesus personally battling Satan at the end times. According to Revelation 12:7-9, it's Michael and the angels who fight against the dragon (Satan). This connects back to Psalm 91's promise that God commands His angels to guard us.

What Does God Value Most About Us?

While God cares about our physical bodies, He places higher priority on protecting what will last forever - our souls and hearts. The psalm's imagery of wings and shields points to this spiritual protection. In our world of constant news updates and information overload, we often carry not just our own burdens but the weight of global suffering. This psalm reminds us we're not alone. God invites us to find refuge in His presence, where He covers us with comfort like a grandmother's embrace.

How Should We Measure Success as Christians?

The psalm challenges our cultural definitions of success. For Christians, success isn't measured by money, wealth, or power - things that eventually decay. Rather, it's found in the love we give and the experiences we share that connect us to one another. God wants us to have meaningful experiences, not just accumulate things. The world sells products that ultimately leave us empty, but God offers contentment regardless of circumstances.

Why Are God's Names Important in This Psalm?

Psalm 91 uses multiple names for God - Most High, Almighty, refuge, fortress. These aren't different identities but different ways of recognizing who God is. Just as we might have various names or titles that reflect different aspects of our identity, God's names reveal different facets of His character. Learning and using these names can deepen our understanding of who God is and how He relates to us. They remind us that God is greater than the highs and lows of life.

Life Application

This week, consider how you can intentionally "abide" in God's presence rather than just visiting occasionally. Make a conscious choice to dwell in His shelter by:

• Learning one of God's names from Scripture and reflecting on what it reveals about His character.

• Identifying areas where you've been seeking security in material things rather than in God's presence.

• Taking inventory of your blessings and acknowledging God as their source.

Ask yourself:

• Where am I spiritually dwelling right now? Have I chosen to live in God's shelter?

• Am I trying to fight spiritual battles in my own strength, or am I standing behind God's shield?

• What experiences with God am I prioritizing over accumulating things?

Remember, God isn't calling you to discipleship to make you work harder, but to show you that you are worth it. He has prepared His presence as a place where you can find refuge, protection, and the contentment that material possessions can never provide.