Psalm 91:1-2 (NKJV): He who 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 I will trust.
The word ‘dwell’ here is ‘yashab’ in Hebrew, which means 'rest, remain, be settled, be established'. Therefore, ‘to dwell in the secret place of the Most High’ is 'to rest, remain, be settled, be established in the secret place of the Most High, i.e. His very presence'.
The word ‘trust’ here is 'bawtakh' in Hebrew, which means 'be confident, be sure, be secure', and in the verse above, the psalmist wrote it in the context of ‘putting confidence in Him by remaining in Him and following His leading/guidance’.
Only after the two key verses above, Psalm 91:3 then comes in with, 'Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence…'
Notice here that Psalm 91:1-2 holds 'the keys to your divine protection', whereas Psalm 91:3-16 that follows speaks of 'the whole list of protection you can expect to receive'.
People of God, where His presence is, there will also be His protection! And that's why it is so important to practice His presence (i.e. to know and be conscious that He is with you and for you). This is especially so for all of us who are living in these last days, and in this turbulent world.
'To trust in Him' is also 'to follow His leading/guidance', instead of insisting your own way (Isaiah 55:8-9). As you allow Him to lead/guide you, and as you listen to the ‘peace’ or ‘unpeace’ that He has put in you (on 'what to do' or 'what not to do'), you will then always end up 'in the right place at the right time', even doing the right things, saying the right things, and making the right decisions.
Romans 8:14 says, ‘For as many as are led by the Spirit of God (i.e. following His leading/guidance), these are sons of God'.
The word ‘led’ here in Greek is 'ago', which can mean ‘being driven, being carried, or being brought’. So, 'to be led by the Spirit of God' is 'to be driven, carried, or brought by the Spirit of God' to where (and what) He wants you to be!
Romans 8:15-16 then follows, 'For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father”. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God'.
Romans 8:15-16 then follows, 'For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father”. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God'.
You see, if you are led by the Spirit, you need not fear! The Word of God says so.
May your heart (spirit) be so tender and soft before the Lord, that you will be able to receive all that He wants to give you (including His leading/guidance). And you can be sure that He is here to help you.
In Ezekiel 36:26, the Lord says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh, and give you a heart of flesh.”
The expression ‘heart of stone’ (or ‘stony heart’ in KJV) here speaks of ‘hard/hardened heart’, like the stiff-necked (hard-hearted) people in Moses’ days who eventually lost the protection of the Lord and missed out on the good things in the Promised Land (Exodus 32:9), whereas the expression ‘heart of flesh’ speaks of ‘soft/softened heart’ that is tender before the Lord.
In Ezekiel 36:26, the Lord says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh, and give you a heart of flesh.”
The expression ‘heart of stone’ (or ‘stony heart’ in KJV) here speaks of ‘hard/hardened heart’, like the stiff-necked (hard-hearted) people in Moses’ days who eventually lost the protection of the Lord and missed out on the good things in the Promised Land (Exodus 32:9), whereas the expression ‘heart of flesh’ speaks of ‘soft/softened heart’ that is tender before the Lord.
In Ezekiel 36:27, the Lord then says, "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." In cross-reference, Philippians 2:13 says, ‘For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure’. This word ‘works’ here is ‘energeo’ in Greek, and it can mean ‘actively working, energetically working, effectively working, efficiently working, powerfully working’. Allow Him.
And finally in Ezekiel 36:28, the Lord says, "Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God." 'To dwell in the land that I gave to your father' is 'to dwell in the blessings of Abraham' (see Deuteronomy 28:1-14).
By the way, one important aspect/part of the blessings of Abraham is, of course, God's protection. See the list below, as the words 'protection, protect, protected' are written in the brackets. Indeed, 'protection' is the fruit of a tender and soft heart before the Lord.
You see, it all begins from the heart. A heart that is tender and soft before the Lord is also a heart that will hear and obey what He has spoken and prompted.
Note: Of course, there will also be times when you aren't aware of the dangers around you (e.g. when you are fast asleep, or in any situation where you have no control of). That's when you just need to trust in the Lord's mercy and His sovereign hand of protection always.
You can now therefore be sure (see Psalm 91:3 again) that:
By the way, one important aspect/part of the blessings of Abraham is, of course, God's protection. See the list below, as the words 'protection, protect, protected' are written in the brackets. Indeed, 'protection' is the fruit of a tender and soft heart before the Lord.
You see, it all begins from the heart. A heart that is tender and soft before the Lord is also a heart that will hear and obey what He has spoken and prompted.
Note: Of course, there will also be times when you aren't aware of the dangers around you (e.g. when you are fast asleep, or in any situation where you have no control of). That's when you just need to trust in the Lord's mercy and His sovereign hand of protection always.
You can now therefore be sure (see Psalm 91:3 again) that:
Blessed (protected) shall you be in the city, and blessed (protected) shall you be in the country.
Blessed (protected) shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.
Blessed (protected) shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.
Blessed (protected) shall you be when you come in, and blessed (protected) shall you be when you go out.
The Lord will cause your enemy who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.
The Lord will command the blessing (protection) on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless (protect) you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you. Amen.
Blessed (protected) shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.
Blessed (protected) shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.
Blessed (protected) shall you be when you come in, and blessed (protected) shall you be when you go out.
The Lord will cause your enemy who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.
The Lord will command the blessing (protection) on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless (protect) you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you. Amen.
