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Psalm 90-91 Promises In The Midst Of Death
posted Wednesday, 1 July 2009
What would Moses have journaled during those 40 years in the desert, leading a million people out of Egypt -- a people who unfortunately chose not to go in and claim the Promised Land when the spies had returned? What would Moses have written, knowing that He'd have to watch and endure the deaths of everyone over 20 years old before the children of these same people could cross the Jordan? Chapter 90 is a page right out of that journal.
The tremendous love relationship that Moses had with God is evident from the start: "Lord, You have been OUR HOME since the beginning. Before the mountains were born and before You created the earth and the world, You ARE God. You have always been, and You will always be."
There's no grammatical error in that first sentence. There never was a time when we could say, "You were God," for that implies that now He's not God. He has always been God, is now God, and will continue forever to be God.
Moses recognized the root cause of his long trek with the Israelites: "You have put the evil we have done right in front of You; You clearly see our secret sins." God knew what was in the heart of each person, and He dealt with it. He didn't pass it by.
Moses also said, "Teach us how short our lives really are so that we may be wise." In other words, "Help us to be wise enough to spend every moment on relationships, for other things will come and go, but those we impact in this life for You are what's most important."
Strangely enough, Moses knew that with each new funeral, he was one step closer to the Promised Land.
Chapter 91 is the only chapter I've ever fully memorized. My commentary says that although it is a Messianic psalm, speaking about Jesus, "we may appropriate its precious promises for ourselves."
What are they? Nine guarantees from God:
1) Deliverance from hidden dangers
2) Immunity from fatal disease
3) Shelter and refuge
4) Protection in the faithfulness of God
5) Freedom from fear
6) Safety even in the midst of massacre
7) Insurance against calamity
8) Guarded by angelic escort
9) Victory over the lion and cobra (Satan)
My commentary also said that God confirms the guarantees by six tremendous "I will's", which I'll save til the last.
I know that the first thing anyone will say is, "Then why do Christians have calamities, get sick, and die early? From my commentary: "Part of the answer lies in this: The one who trusts in Jehovah is IMMORTAL UNTIL HIS WORK IS DONE."
That is an amazing thought! For if we are nearing death, it means that we will have accomplished what God placed us on this earth to do!
Father, thank You for giving me a glimpse of what Moses thought as he encountered the deaths of so many on a daily basis. And thank You for the promise that I am immortal until my work on earth is done and You call me home. I trusted so much in these verses as I traveled to Ukraine to get my sons, and You were faithful in Your promises. I love the way You said it, Father:
"Because he loves me, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation." What a guarantee, Father!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
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