Hidden Gems
Reflective Reading: Psalm 91
The more I read the Psalms, the more I see a Messianic imprint everywhere. These imprints convince me that most of the Bible, if not all, refers to Jesus in some way. For example, in Psalm 91 we have obvious references to the Messiah that I’m sure you’ll recognize. Not only is this a Messianic psalm, but it is also a song that reveals a message that God the Father wrote for His Son to find when He was on earth. Ready for an interesting study? May the journey begin!
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge—no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my deliverance” (Psalm 91:1-16).
This psalm is about the Son of God’s trust in His Father. Because the Son has made His Father (the most High) His habitation (dwelling place), no evil shall come to Him. Moreover, God the Father shall give His angels charge over the Son, to keep Him in all His ways. They shall bear Him up upon their hands, lest He dash His foot against a stone. I’m sure you recognize these words as the Scriptures the devil used as he tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:6).
As the writer of this psalm continues, an unusual phenomenon occurs. In verse 13, the author ceases to speak, while God himself begins speaking in first person (verses 14-16). The words that God the Father begins to speak to His Son are words of encouragement and endearment. Listen in on what the Father is saying:
“Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.”
These words are not spoken to the Son but about the Son. This is significant because it appears that the Father placed these words in the Scriptures for His Son to find when He was on earth! Jesus would come to earth as a baby and grow up like other boys. He would learn and grow as we did. He would grow in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. His wisdom would come from the Word of God and His relationship with His Father. During his early years He would memorize Scripture and gain skills as a carpenter, or as some teach, as a stone mason. He would be tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15b).
When Jesus reached the age of thirty, He would begin His public ministry and face several extreme trials. Before He could face those trials and temptations, He would need to be filled with a reservoir of His Father’s promises. Like a good Father, God wrote messages of love to encourage His Son, promises of deliverance to bolster His Faith, and future assurances that would fan the flames of His endurance.
In Hebrews 5:8 we read:
"Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered.”
Jesus, like us, was learning about life as He was growing up at home, studying the Scriptures in school, and gaining knowledge from creation. He laid aside His divine power (Philippians 2), knowing that He could have at any time called to His Father to send twelve thousand legions of angels (Matthew 26:53), but He chose to trust His Father’s Word. In fact, these words in Psalm 91 would be the consoling truth that Jesus would rely upon when He faced the severe trial with the devil in the wilderness (Matthew 4). The Father hid treasured truths throughout the Scriptures to help guide and encourage His Son.
I believe the same is true for us! As we sojourn upon this earth, gems of truth are waiting to be found. We, like Jesus, must be filled with a reservoir of God’s promises. We must grow in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. We must learn obedience by the things which we suffer. And when we are severely tempted, we will not be easily led astray, because the Lord God has set His love upon us and will deliver us.
Sincerely,
Mark Hamby
M.S., M. Div., Th. M., D. Min
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