A Sanctuary of Protection (2)

Two young girls were talking, and one said she had ten pennies. The other girl looked at her hand and only saw five. She said, “You only have five pennies.” The first girl replied, “I have five and my father told me he would give me five more tonight. So I have ten.”

She understood that her father’s promise was as good as done.

Michael P. Green. (2000). 1500 illustrations for biblical preaching (p. 172). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

The One Who Covers (vs.1-2)

Elyon - Most High – The God Above All

Nothing happens outside of His will, whether harm or disaster. Nothing that happens or will happen is a surprise to God. Everything we do should be for His glory.

Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. (Matthew 10:29, HCSB)

Shaddai – Almighty – The God of Power

Our God is in control. He is able to fix it. We need to humble ourselves and come to Him for help.

Isaiah 46:9–10 (NASB95) “Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’

Yahweh – Lord - The God of Covenant

What He promises to us will be fulfilled. We need to trust in His faithfulness to us.

Philippians 1:6 (NASB95) For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Elohim – God - The God of Creation

He is a good God and everything He does is for our good. We need to remember He will never leave us or forsake us.

Isaiah 43:2, 5 (NASB95) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you....Do not fear, for I am with you.

What Is The Covering? (vs. 1-4)

Shelter / Refuge / Fortress

Run to Him when in trouble

Pinions and Wings

Find comfort and healing

Shield and Bulwark

Let his faithfulness, lovingkindness, and truth be your defense

Psalm 35:1–3 (NASB95) Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; Fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of buckler and shield And rise up for my help. Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me; Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

How Do We Get Under That Covering? (vs. 1-2, 14)

Dwells / Abide (vs. 1) - God’s got me covered.

Trust (vs. 2) - He’s got my back.

Love (vs 14) - Everything He does, He does because He loves me.

The Covering, Already (vs. 5-7)

We Do Not Have To Be Afraid

We Can Walking In Freedom

The Covering, Not Yet (vs. 8-10)

Messianic – Second Coming

Ultimately This Psalm Points To The Second Coming Of Christ

Complete, Perfect, and Exact Justice Will Be Served.

In context, these things that are coming at us are an act of God’s punishment upon the wicked. (vs 8)

No evil / Plague / Spot / Blemish Will Come Near Your Dwelling

Revelation 22:14–15 (NASB95) Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

The Covering, Already (vs. 11-13)

Until that day, making God our covering allows us to rest with the confidence knowing that He has put a guard around us.

He will command His angels concerning you

Command/Charge - Authority, responsibility over us.

Guard – to watch carefully over

This is one place we get our concept of “Guardian Angels”

Protection from disaster and dangers

Guide - In All Our Ways – path of life, journey.

They will help keep us on the right path.

With their help...

They will bear you up. We are lifted out of or through.

So that you will not strike.

To strike – most often used in context of warring nations killing one another.

So, it carries the weight of, if we stumble, that stone will not be the end of us.

You will tread / trample upon.

To tread – to walk on or over.

To trample - to defeat enemies by trampling underfoot.

Hebrews 2:14 (NASB95) Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

1 John 3:8 (NASB95) the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

Colossians 2:13–15 (NASB95)

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

God has de-fanged the cobra and removed the teeth of the lion.

So, we don’t need to fear the poison of the cobra or the teeth of the lion.

In other words, we don’t need to fear Satan or his minions.

Through the cross God has destroyed the power of the devil, the works of the devil, the army of the devil, and someday the devil Himself will be gone forever.

In the temptation of Jesus, this little verse, vs. 13, was conveniently left out by Satan...

Serpent / Lion – Satan, roaring lion…

Revelation 12:9 (NASB95)

And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

1 Peter 5:8–10 (NASB95)

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

Secondly, when the temptations of Jesus were finished, what happened to Jesus?

Matthew 4:11 (NASB95)

Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

Our Response?

We do have personal responsibility to employ faithfulness in following the direction and path God has laid out for us

A Sacrifice of Praise - Tears and Knees

Psalm 5:11–12 (NASB95) But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You. For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield.

tears of crying for God’s deliverance

‌tears of longing to be in God’s presence

‌tears of pleading for God’s grace and glory

tears of praise for God’s protection and faithfulness

Psalm 126:4–6 (NIV84)

Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

The Already, But Not Yet (vs. 14-16)

Because He holds fast to me in love, and He knows my name.

To intimately experience the presence of God in your life and love Him dearly for it.

To cling to God’s love

I Will Deliver Him - to escape, take to safety.

I Will Protect Him - set him on a high rock, surround him with impregnable walls

hen He Calls

Romans 10:13 (NASB95)

for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Jeremiah 29:12–13 (NASB95)

‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Philippians 4:6–7 (NASB95)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Jeremiah 33:3 (NASB95)

‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

I Will Answer Him

I Will Be With Him In Trouble - Distress, Anguish

situations or times of extreme discomfort or afflictions of many kinds.

I Will Rescue Him - to remove from danger, but more significantly coveys the thought of taking up arms in battle, or equipping for war.

Yes, God will remove you from danger, but He is also going to prepare and equip you to fight as well.

It’s like you’re His apprentice.

I Will Honor Him

God is going to proudly present you as a masterpiece of His!

Look at what I did!

Ephesians 2:10 (NASB95)

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

I Will Satisfy Him With Long Life

Following God faithfully, in general, produces a better and healthier life, keeping one free from the common pitfalls of temptation that can shorten one’s life.

Maybe more in line with “During your length of days, I will satisfy you”

Refers more to the quality of life rather than the duration.

God says, “I want you to have a quality of life that is found resting under my covering, dwelling in my presence, drinking from my pools of grace, while loving others, giving hope, and sharing the truth of my Word, which is obtained through the Good News of my Son, Jesus Christ. His sacrifice brings you forgiveness, restoration, and peace; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.

I Will Let Him See My Salvation, Deliverance, Victory, Then, Now, and Forever!

Song: Lord I Need You; Good God Almighty

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