Psalm 91:1-4

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart!”

To unfold the doctrines and duties of our holy religion is a matter of indispensable necessity to every one who would discharge the ministerial office with acceptance. Yet it is not necessary that a minister should always be laying the foundation of repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; there are times and seasons when he should “go on unto perfection, Hebrews 6:1,” and exhibit Christianity in its highest stages of practical duties. The Psalm before us will afford us ample scope for this.

According to these verses, we have a clear exposition of the character and blessedness of every true believer. Let us consider, then,

I. The true believer’s character.

He is not described either by his religious creed or by his moral conduct. We are led to view him rather in his secret walk with God.

1. View the believer’s character portrayed figuratively.

It will be remembered that God dwelt by a visible symbol of his presence in the tabernacle; and that the high-priest on the great day of annual atonement went within the veil, and abode there until he had sprinkled the blood of his sacrifices upon the mercy-seat, and covered the mercy-seat with his incense.

Now, what he did physically once in the year, the true Christian does spiritually every day in the year; for through Christ we all are “made kings and priests unto our God.”

Paint to yourselves, then, the high-priest in his occasional access to God; and there you see the Christian going continually within the veil, or rather habitually dwelling there, and “making God himself his habitation, verse 9.” And truly this is “a secret place,” of which an unconverted man has no conception; it is “the secret of God’s pavilion, the secret of his tabernacle Psalm 27:5.”

But we must divest ourselves of the notion of locality; for this place is wherever God manifests his more immediate presence; and therefore David beautifully calls it, “the secret of his presence! Psalm 31:20.” There the believer dwells; and, O! who can conceive “the fellowship which he there enjoys with God the Father and with the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 John 1:3;” while they, with condescending and affectionate endearment, come to him, and abidingly feast with him, John 14:21; John 14:23. Revelation 3:20.

In truth, the communion between God and the soul is such as no language can convey. It is nothing less than a mutual indwelling, resembling that which exists between the Father and the Son; they being in God, and God in them; yes, and being one with God, and God with them! Compare John 6:56 and 1 John 4:15-16 with John 17:21-23.

This is a mercy which the believer alone enjoys. But some little idea of it may be formed from the favor conferred upon the camp of Israel in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud and fire led them in all their way, affording them shade by day from the heat of the burning sun, and light throughout the night season. To no other people under Heaven was this ever given.

And so it is with the camp of the true Israelites at this day, “A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God, Romans 2:28-29.” They, and they only, behold the light of God’s countenance in the night-season of adversity. They alone are sheltered from everything that would oppress and overwhelm their souls; as it is written, “Then the LORD will provide shade for Mount Zion and all who assemble there. He will provide a canopy of cloud during the day and smoke and flaming fire at night, covering the glorious land. It will be a shelter from daytime heat and a hiding place from storms and rain! Isaiah 4:5-6.”

2. View the believer’s character portrayed in plain terms.

The workings of his mind and heart, under all the trials and difficulties which he has to encounter, are here set forth. He is convinced that no created arm can be sufficient for him. Hence he directs his eyes towards the Creator himself, and says of him:

“He is my refuge” from every trouble!

“He is my fortress” against every assailant!

“He is my God,” all whose powers and perfections shall be employed for me.

“In Him I will trust,” in Him only and exclusively; in Him always, under all circumstances; in Him, with perfect confidence and unshaken trust.

The Christian man is not like the ungodly world, who know not what to do, and are at their wit’s end when trouble comes. The believer is “in the secret place of the Most High;” and, where others can see nothing, he beholds “chariots of fire and horses of fire all around him, 2 Kings 6:17.” Or rather, he beholds “God himself as a wall of fire round about him, Zechariah 2:5,” and has the very glory of God resting on him, 1 Peter 4:14.

Thus is the true believer distinguished from all others, “he beholds Him who is invisible! Hebrews 11:27;” and walks as in his immediate presence, saying, “If God is for me—then who can be against me?”

Shall this be thought an exaggerated description? I do not say that the Divine presence is equally realized by all Christians, or by any Christian equally at all times. There are seasons when a Peter may be “of little faith, Matthew 14:31;” and a Paul may need a special revelation for his support, “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city! Acts 18:9-10.”

Nevertheless, in the general habit of their mind, their language is like that of David, “I love you, LORD; you are my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies! Psalm 18:1-3.”

With such views of the believer’s character—you can have no doubt of:

II. The true believer’s blessedness.

Here let the abruptness of the address be borne in mind. The Psalmist, instead of proceeding, as might have been expected, to declare the blessings which a person of this description should receive, addresses himself to that person in these animated terms, “Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart!” Now, in these terms, the Psalmist, in the very name of God himself, and in the most assured manner, pledges to the true believer:

1. The protection of God’s power.

If war were raging in our country; or pestilence, like that which desolated Judea after David had numbered the people, and which probably gave occasion to this Psalm, were carrying off multitudes all around us—we would enter more fully into the subject before us, and see more forcibly the exalted privileges of the true believer.

But we must remember that there is a moral “pestilence” raging all around us, and sweeping myriads into the pit of destruction!

We should remember, too, that there is a demonic “fowler,” who entangles, in his net, millions, unwary as the silly bird, and “leads them captive at his will! 2 Timothy 2:26.”

What is the example of men in every walk of life, but one deadly contagion, from which it is almost impossible to escape?

And what are those lusts and temptations with which we are continually beset, but baits whereby the devil seeks to ensnare us to our everlasting ruin?

Who can preserve us from all of these snares, but God himself! Little will human wisdom or power avail against such potent spiritual enemies. Peter imagined himself secure enough from denying his Lord, when he formed so steadfast a resolution respecting it; but, as our Lord had forewarned him, “the rooster did not crow twice, until he had denied him thrice.” And whoever Satan should get into his sieve, he would prove us all to be chaff—if we would be left without timely support from God! Luke 22:31.

But “God will keep the feet of his saints, 1 Samuel 2:9,” and not allow them to fall a prey to the destroyer. The care of a mother hen over her brood is well known. When a bird of prey is hovering over them, she calls them under her wings, and there preserves them in perfect safety. The bird of prey, when searching for them, can behold nothing but the mother hen.

Thus will God preserve his people from all their enemies, “He will cover them with his feathers, and under his wings shall they trust!” Yes, “their lives shall be hidden with Christ in God,” beyond the reach of harm; and because “Christ himself is their life, when he shall appear, they also shall appear with him in glory! Colossians 3:3-4.” What was done by God for Israel in the wilderness, shall be done by him for every soul that puts its trust in him! Deuteronomy 32:9-12.

2. The protection of God’s faithfulness.

For every believer the very truth of God is pledged; and “life is promised” to him by the “God who cannot lie, Titus 1:2.” It is not said that the believer shall not be tempted, or “be in heaviness through manifold temptations; but that he shall not be finally overcome, as the Apostle says, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it, 1 Corinthians 10:13.”

Here, I say, the very faithfulness of God is pledged; and we may be sure, that “of all the good things which he has promised to his people, not one shall ever fail! Joshua 23:14.”

No doubt they may through weakness be overcome for a season, as the lives of the most eminent saints but too clearly prove. But in such a case God has told us how he will act towards them, “But if his descendants forsake my instructions and fail to obey my regulations, if they do not obey my decrees and fail to keep my commands—then I will punish their sin with the rod, and their disobedience with beating. But I will never stop loving him nor fail to keep my promise to him. No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back a single word I said. I have sworn an oath to David, and in my holiness I cannot lie! Psalm 89:30-35.”

Of course, we are not to understand this of one who willfully and habitually lives in sin; for, whatever he may profess, he is no child of God, but a downright hypocrite! But of the weakest of real saints it is spoken (and to him it shall assuredly be fulfilled; for “it is not the will of our Father that one of his little ones should perish! Matthew 18:14.”

For a just improvement of this passage, let it be remembered,

1. In what way alone we can have access to God.

We have spoken of the believer as “dwelling in God;” but how did he come into that sanctuary? and where did he find a door of entrance? This is a point that should be well understood. There is but one way to the Father; and that is by Christ. Our blessed Lord himself tells us this, when he says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes unto the Father but by me.” It must never be forgotten, that in ourselves we are altogether departed from God; and that we can be “only brought near by the blood of Jesus.” It was by the blood of his sacrifice alone, that the High Priest, of whom we have before spoken, could come into the holy place of the Most High, Hebrews 9:7. In the same way, it is by the blood of Jesus alone that we can venture into the holiest, Hebrews 10:19, or presume to ask anything at the hands of God, Hebrews 10:20-22. I beseech you, therefore, to bear this in remembrance, and never to call God yours, until you have come to him in his appointed way.

2. What is that kind of confidence which we ought to maintain.

It must not be presumptuous confidence, that overlooks the use of means or supersedes the necessity of holy fear. Satan could not be better served than by such confidence as that. And hence it was, that, in tempting our blessed Lord, he cited this very Psalm, and urged a part of it as a warrant for him to cast himself down from a pinnacle of the temple; saying, “If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down; for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning you; and in their hands they shall bear you up, lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone, verse 11, 12 with Matthew 4:6.” Our Lord’s reply to him shows us our duty in relation to this matter, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.”

In the same way, we are not needlessly to expose ourselves to dangers, in the expectation that God will preserve us; nor are we to neglect the use of means, as though God were engaged to work miracles in our behalf. We must be humble, watchful, diligent; as it is written, “Give all diligence to make your calling and election sure.”

God has, indeed, engaged to “give us both to will and to do;” but, while we depend on him for his effectual aid, we must “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, Philippians 2:12-13.” In every step of our way to Zion, we must cry, “Hold me up, and I shall be safe.”

3. What should be the frame of our minds after we have come to him.

I have said, ‘We should fear;’ for “blessed is the man who fears always.” But this fear should temper, not weaken, our confidence in God. Hear what the Prophet Isaiah says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you; because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever; for with the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength! Isaiah 26:3-4.”

Paul maintained to the uttermost, the fear of which we have been speaking; for he “kept his body under control, and brought it into subjection; lest that by any means, after he had preached to others, he himself should be a cast-away, 1 Corinthians 9:27.” But his confidence in God was entire. He defied all the powers in the universe to separate him from the love of God! Romans 8:33-39. And you, also, may possess the same blessed hope, “knowing in whom you have believed, 2 Timothy 1:12.”

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand!”

Charles Simeon