Love Pursues

Psalm 91 – Father’s Protection

Psalm 91 is one of my favorite Psalms. At one time, I did not understand that the promises in the Bible were really for me, so I didn’t receive what they had to offer. A wonderful evangelist from Singapore, named Joseph Prince, opened my eyes. Ever since then Psalm 91 has been my favorite, and I declare it over myself and my house. So below are some comments and thoughts regarding this Psalm. [Note: the information regarding the names of God is from http://www.hebrew4christians.com. The Bible translation quoted is “The New Jerusalem Bible”.]

In the first 2 verses of Psalm 91, three names of God are used.

Elyon – most high God (stresses strength, sovereignty, and supremacy)
Shaddai – the all sufficient God (related to sufficiency and nourishment)
Yahweh – the personal name of God the source of all being

These verses describe one who lives in the secret place of Elyon, spends his nights (sleeps/rests) in the shelter of Shaddai, and who says to Yahweh, “you are my refuge, my fortress, my God in whom I trust!”

What is the result of living, resting, and declaring trust in Yahweh?

The next verses declare that Yahweh rescues, covers, shields and protects him. He has no fear of any calamity whether at night, during the day, at noon, or during darkness. It goes on to state that he will remain unscathed and no disaster or plague will overtake or come near him. God even gives his angles orders to guard him.

The keys all of this protection and shelter is expounded in verses 14 and 15.

It says, since he clings to me –> I rescue him; Since he acknowledges my name (Elyon, Shaddai, Yahweh) –> I raise him high; Since he calls to me –> I answer him. In distress I am at his side. I rescue him and bring him honor.

It concludes in verse 16 with, “I shall satisfy him with long life, and grant him to see my salvation.”

So what are some keys for us to receive and live the Psalm 91 life?

Believe in the nature of the Father as expressed in His names, His acts, and His son – Jesus Christ.
Stay (live) in the secret place, communing constantly with Elyon. Jesus opened the door for us to dwell in the Holy of Holies.
Rest in the shelter of Shaddai. Father provides ALL of our nourishment. Our needs are fully met by the All Sufficient One. We can do nothing without Him. We can do all things through Him. Our power to walk unscathed is a direct result of our ability to rest in the finished work of Christ.
Declare Yahweh as your refuge, your fortress, your God in whom you trust. Acknowledge His name.

May Father’s love and shalom overwhelm you! May you grow in the revelation of his everlasting love and his mercy that endures forever!

No Orphans In God’s Kingdom

Jesus came to reveal Father – Abba (Daddy) Father. Paul says we can boldly come before the throne of God. Why? Because we are His little children running to our Daddy. There is no fear, disapproval, condemnation in Daddy’s eyes. Only love pours forth from his throne to his children.

It requires a child’s heart to cry out, “Daddy” and to enter the King’s domain. How do we get a heart of a child again? Simply ask Daddy for it. Ask him to reveal his love, his heart for you. Let Holy Spirit heal you and give you a new heart. It may feel like you are being broken into a million pieces, but the end result of a restored heart is worth more than all the gold in the world.

Two Viewpoints

I see two viewpoints regarding our relationship with Father God being proclaimed by Christians. One that sees us, even as followers of Christ, as slaves. We are to work to do the will of God and be obedient servants. We are sinners saved by grace who perform to be acceptable and valuable. It may not be stated quite so bluntly, but that is the gist of it.

The other viewpoint is that Father loved us so much, he sent his son, Jesus, to buy us out of slavery. We were purchased with a great price and then adopted as sons.

So which viewpoint is correct? Paul clearly states that Christ was the firstborn of many sons of God. He also says that all of creation groans waiting for the sons of God to be revealed (Romans 8). In Galatians 4:6-7 Paul states, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

So are we slaves/servants or sons/daughters? Seems clear that Jesus made it possible for us to be sons and daughters of the most high God. Jesus made it possible for us to call God, “Abba (Daddy), Father. The slave/servant mentality is the attitude of the older brother in the parable of the Good Father (a.k.a the Prodigal Son).

What I see in myself and in other Christians is a tendency to not understand that Jesus made a way for us to be children of God living from Father’s inheritance. When we act and teach from the viewpoint of the slave, we dishonor Jesus. To be truly victorious, we have to fully grasp that we are children of God, adopted into His family, living from inheritance, and hidden in Christ. Father has freely given us all things in Christ Jesus. Let us not dishonor Him by acting and believing like the older brother.

Pursuit

When God pursues man and man pursues God a phenomenal collision takes place, and in an exhilarating explosion a new creation is birthed in the spirit. When it happens, we enter the Kingdom of God.
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5

Getting Started

I’ve decided that I need to start writing again. At one time in my life, my dream was to be a writer. That dream was set aside, because I was encouraged to be more practical. So after many years of not writing anything except work related documents and a few Facebook posts, I am going to try to dust off those writer brain cells to see if they work. Naturally my grammar and sentence structure have suffered years of neglect, but practice and kind feedback will surely improve them. So my goal is to post at least one blog per week. As the name of my blog suggests, my overall subject is the great love of our Daddy God. My prayer is that some one will be encouraged, feel loved, encounter our savior at a deeper level, and be blessed by my simple thoughts that result when I spend time with Father.

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