Introduction:
The first question Andrew and John asked the Lord Jesus when they began to follow him,
"Where are you living?" (Jn 1:38). Jesus said, "Come, and you will
see." They saw not only his room, but they began to glimpse the central reality of
his life, that he lived in the Father. Christians have two addresses: Phil 1:1,
"The Saints at Philippi", but, v1, the first far more important.
Whatever our earthly address, if we are Christians then our lives are hidden with Christ in God
(Col 3:3). The problem -- many regard that address more as a weekend cottage than our
permanent residence. We live far more in this world, with its pressures, etc, than in God,
but at what expense to our souls! We take on its anxieties, frenzy, self-centredness, but
especially its restlessness. Matt 11:28 -- rest, not inactivity or boredom, but
peace, serenity, security. We were made to live in God.
1. FAITH'S STATEMENT - vs 1-2:
The foundation on which the psalm is built, "He who dwells….will rest". The
answer to anxiety, fear, distracting care, worries, the pressures of life in this world,
is to dwell in God, or in NT terms, "Abide in Christ". (Jn 15:5). Most
Christians know that, but do not do it; we understand it as a concept, but do not
experience it as a life-style. We accept it in theory, profess it as our faith, but
actually lie awake at night worrying. We are under pressure from others and from our
tyrant selves driving us to be the super Christians we have invented for ourselves as our
impossible ideal. We fear what may happen to ourselves or our loved ones. We dare not slow
down lest we face ourselves and our own failures. We know how brittle and fragile we are,
so we keep moving, hoping no one will notice. All the time the real God is offering
rest. If we really knew him we should trust him. Faith leans all my weight on God;
faith breathes God as our lungs breathe air.
Vs 1-2 give us four names or titles of God that generate faith. V1: The Most High: name of total sovereignty and authority, no Court of Appeal, no greater power. Lord of history, of the universe. The Lord who governs all things according to his will. V1: The Almighty (El Shaddai) - used mainly in the Patriarchal period--God of mountain-like stability, but always in the context of his grace. Power at work for the good of his people; God, bountiful giver, pouring out blessings on his own; the inexhaustible resources of the Lord at the disposal of his children. V2: The LORD (Yahweh) - Covenant name, revealing the character of God to his own. The 'Christian' name of God (family use), given to Moses at the burning bush (Ex 3); I AM, the eternal present-tense God, unchanging, bound to his people by an oath that can never be broken, in NT terms sealed by the precious blood of Christ. The God who will never let us go, let us down, or give us up. V2: My God - most common OT name for God (Elohim), plural = Trinity, the Godhead, but here wonderfully made personal, mine. And in that little word "my", faith moves from theory to experience. This God, the only true god, he is mine and I am his; all that he is in himself, he is to me. It could not be otherwise. He cannot change, so it is all there for me. This is where I must build my home; here are my roots, living in this God, the supreme reality of my life; the heart of what it means to be a Christian. The outworking of that in everyday life, four blessings that match four titles - Shelter, Shadow, Refuge, Fortress. All speak of protection and security that is absolute because God provides it. Like an eagle nesting on a rocky crag, a chick protected under mother's wing, a fugitive reaching safety, is faith's relationship with the God who is there. But our part is to dwell (take up permanent residence) and that means (v2b) to trust. We express that faith by constantly relating everything in life to my God.
2. FAITH'S EXPERIENCE - vs 3:13:
A personal application of the principle we have been considering. "You" is
singular each time--God's love and care tailored to our individual circumstances. Yet it
is true that we face common and shared difficulties--none of us has unique problems. 1
Peter 5:9, "Your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same
sufferings." The emphasis, vs 3-6, on the unpredictability of dangers that can
suddenly strike at us and which even the strongest face. The fowler's snare (v3),
an unexpected trap, perhaps laid by someone else because of jealousy or hostility. The
deadly pestilence (v3), expanded (v6), reminds us of our mortality; despite
medical advances Christians are not promised a life immune to illness or physical
suffering. The terrors of night (5a) speaks of battles in the mind, thoughts and
imagination that keep us awake and terrrorise with thoughts of "What if…?" The
arrow by day (v5b), perhaps war or misery (Eph 6:16). The devil in view in v13;
the lion the strongest animal, and the devil a roaring lion (1 Pet 5:8),. The
serpent the subtlest of enemies, and Satan "that ancient serpent" (Rev 12:9).
All these hostile forces are part of our live in a fallen, rebellious world. As Christians
we face them in our humanity. If we forget or deny that, our experience will be distorted.
We are tempted to see this psalm as a statement of untroubled bliss if only we trust God, but is it really that? Vs 11-12 is the only verse in the Bible quoted elsewhere in Scripture by the devil (Matt 4:6). He urged Jesus to prove his faith, to claim these promises in a dramatic way. He applied these words as if they promised unconditional security in every situation. But Jesus refused, his reason instructive: Matt 4:7, "Do not tempt God, do not put him to the test." We can prove him in the hour of need providing we are living in God, under his will. But we are not to put our head in the lion's mouth as an expression of faith that God will prevent it decapitating us! God does not promise a trouble-free life, but does promise his presence and his deliverance. The verbs which describe God's response to our faith in the midst of life's troubles: v3: "He will save you"--you will not be captured or destroyed. V4: "He will cover you"--you will find refuge; God will defend you in time of need. V5: "You will not fear"--you know he is with you and your life is ultimately in God's hands; the meaning of vs 7-8, nothing can touch God's child without the Father's express permission. We need not live in fear of God's judgment; our rebellion forgiven in Christ. If we live in God we need not fear his rod; his rod and staff comfort! Too many Christians are waiting for the thunderbolt to fall, but that cannot happen if you are living in him. V9-10: The difficulties we face are not disasters; a loving providence controls all and nothing is allowed that is not for our ultimate good. Unseen angel legions are on duty all the time (v11) guarding God's elect from dangers seen and unseen. But we have to trust. The little word "If" at the start of v9--let the last three verses stimulate that sort of response.
3. FAITH'S GUARANTEE - vs 14-16:
As the psalm closes the Lord himself speaks. These are wonderful verses; meditate on them
this week. Do not let them flow in and out. Dwell on them and in them; no less than eight
gracious promises, our God is making to us in these verses, and it is YAHWEH speaking:
"I will rescue," (v14) - from sin, death and hell when we first turn in faith. But it is the story of our lives. How often he has fished us out.
"I will protect," (v14b) - God guarantees to do all he has promised as our shield and defender in all life's changing scenes.
"I will answer," (v15a) - my privilege to call, to lay out my need, to pour out my heart and to know that God hears the feeblest cry.
"I will be with him," (v15) - He promises an abiding friendship. He will always be there, always with us, if we really want him.
"I will deliver," (v15) - Troubles may come but he will bring us through.
"I will honour," (v15) - He does not rescue by the skin of our teeth and leave us there. He has a crown of glory ahead of us. He will lift us up.
"I will satisfy," (v16a) - with length of days. If devoted to God, then nothing can separate us from him. He holds the keys of death. A Christian is immortal.
"I will show him my salvation," - not daily grasped but fully realised. That is the ultimate blessing of glory.
Fantastic promises, and all true. The future is as bright as the promises of God. Just three conditions. All this is true now and for ever to each Christian who (i) loves me, (ii) acknowledges my name, (iii) calls upon me. If you would live in God you must set your heart on him; he must be number 1 in your life. God first. If you love him you will obey him, recognise his character, live in harmony with him, trusting, and you must pray.
© 2001 David Jackman
David Jackman is Director of the Cornhill Training Course in London