Jimmy Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997) was an American film and stage actor, known for his distinctive voice and persona. Over the course of his career, he starred in many films widely considered classics and was nominated for five Academy Awards. What many may not know is his military service and even more so his faith in God. Before Jimmy Stewart left to fight overseas with his bomber squadron, his father, an Indiana, Pennsylvania, hardware store owner and staunch Presbyterian, slipped a note into his son's pocket. The note read: "My dear Jim boy, Soon after you read this letter, you will be on your way to the worst sort of danger.... I am banking on the enclosed copy of the 91st Psalm. The thing that takes the place of fear and worry is the promise of these words.... I can say no more.... I love you more than I can tell you. Dad."
What trust this father has in the word of God! And what a confident advice he could give to his son who was going out on a most dangerous mission! Lo and behold “Throughout the war, Jimmy Stewart carried with him a copy of the 91st Psalm, a gift from his loving father. Later according to the Jimmy Stewart Museum, he said, "What a promise for an airman. I placed in His Hands the squadron I would be leading. And, as the psalmist promised, I felt myself borne up."
I believe Psalm 91 is placed by our heavenly father for you and me His sons and daughters to encourage us during our times of trouble. I don’t know how many times I referred to this Psalm in my troubles and was comforted by meditating on it. It is so important that even the devil knows it and used it against Christ. I titled this sermon” In the Shelter of the Most High.”
BACKGROUND TO PSALM 91
Psalm 91 is an exuberant hymn of praise. It reminds us in many ways of Ps 90. Both begin with the blessedness of the one who finds a dwelling place in God. Psalm 90 suggests a man of many years who has experienced disappointments and frustrations. Psalm 91 suggests a young man with buoyancy and expectancy. This can be divided into two parts. Part one Vs 1-8 explains God’s character and His care and Part two Vs 1-9 talks about man’s response and rewards of obedience. Though several metaphors were used in this Psalm, the underlying meaning is, God cares for his people and there is safety for us when we live in the shelter of the Most High. Let’s delve into Psalm 91.
I GOD’S CHARACTER AND HIS CARE: (Vs 1-8)
Vs 1-2 “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.” Let’s pause there and get to the bottom of the meaning of this verse.
The Psalmist rightly began the Psalm addressing God, he used three words for God, do all of them convey the same meaning or each has a significant meaning? For the English speakers the word “God” do not carry as much a deeper meaning as it does to the Hebrew speakers. Therefore, our understanding of God is limited and certainly the awe of God is minimized. In the Hebrew language over a hundred names were used for God based on his character and nature. Out of many name three most commonly used names are found in Vs 1& 2. Firstly, El Elyon- "The most high God" God is sovereign which means that God is in charge of the entire universe ALL the time. God is so in control of our lives that nothing can happen without His permission. (Psalm 57:2) This name often refers to his omnipotence
No fortunes, evil dictator's plans or worldly circumstances can thwart His plans. Secondly, El Shaddai- "God all sufficient" This could be used in unison with another Hebrew name Jehovah-Jireh because God supplies all our needs at the prescribed time according to His riches and Glory in Christ. Thirdly, Elohim means “Plural God”, the most commonly used name for God. We know this plurality as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
When we know our God is all powerful, highly exalted, all sufficient and the Supreme Being, what does that do to us? Well for one our appreciation and respect for God will increase. Our lives will radically change knowing the fact that God is in control of our lives. When we live in the shelter of the Most High what danger can come near you and your family?
In ancient times there were several seen and unforeseen dangers humans had to deal with from time to time. Whole families and tribes used to be wiped off when a natural calamity such as a plague or pestilence struck a community. Not only that there was constant threat from the wild animals and poisonous snakes. These were the real dangers that could strike any one either day or night. So they understood the importance of living under the protection of the almighty.
What does living in the shelter of the Most High God mean to us today? It means that we entrust every aspect of our lives into God’s hands, which includes our families, marriages, homes, schools, businesses, cities and the nation. It is one thing to say “In God we trust” as it says in our currency but it is entirely different to truly trust God with your life. I need to come back to God over and over again and entrust my entire life to Him.
When we sincerely entrust our lives to God as the Psalmist assures we will have no fear of sudden dangers. Vs 3-8 display great confidence in God’s saving, protecting and providing power. Let me dwell on Vs 4, “He will cover you with his feathers, under his wings you will find refuge, his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
Three metaphors were used in this verse. What did they mean to the original audience then and how can we apply them to our situation today? Firstly look at the metaphor of “under his wings” Does it mean that God has humongous wings with which He will cover all of his children? No! It is a metaphor. In the OT the metaphor of wings is often used to explain the protective and redemptive power of God. The following scriptures explain this concept.
Psalm 36: 7, “How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.”
Psalm 57:1 “Have mercy on me, O God…. for in you my soul takes refuge, I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.”
Remember when Jesus denounced Jerusalem for its refusal to accept him as the LORD, he used the same metaphor of wings? In Matthew 23:37, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.”
This scripture explains that God is longing to take us under his wings, but how far are we willing to come under his protection? Are we like the city of Jerusalem constantly refusing to recognize Christ as the Lord of our lives? We have a choice, we can either let God be God and take care of us or reject Him and go on our own way. I am telling you if you continually reject God in your life you are the most miserable person on the face of the earth.
“Under his wings” communicates not only God’s protective power but also his redemptive power. The theme of redemption pervades the OT. Redeem means, “the transfer of ownership from one to another through payment or by something of equivalent value. At first it was applied only to property but later on was extended to people. We see the act of redemption clearly played out when Boaz redeemed Ruth. An interesting drama took place between Naomi’s close relatives, the town elders and Boaz.
Let me give you a snapshot of the drama of redemption in the book of Ruth. The story begins with Naomi returning to her home land after loosing her husband, and two sons. Ruth the loyal daughter in law did not abandon Naomi in her misery but followed her all the way.
Think about Ruth’s predicament, a Moabite woman whose clan was strongly hated by the Jewish people, not only that a widow, a foreigner (immigrant) living in a strange land. Can you imagine what fears, insecurities and anxieties this poor woman must have gone through? In the midst of her desolation her consolation was her God fearing Jewish mother in law who was kind and loving towards her daughter in law who encouraged her to go and glean in the field of another kind man in the land. So here is Ruth grazing in the field of Boaz, all of sudden her life took a different turn when Boaz took note of her. Interestingly he prayed a blessing over Ruth which has the same metaphor “Under His Wings” May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” (Ruth 2:12)
We know the rest of the story. Boaz married Ruth they lived happily ever after. Who would have ever thought that God would raise up a savior through an Immigrant?
As we read the rest of the story, Ruth gives birth to a son and names him Obed who latter becomes the father of Jesse and Jesse becomes the father of David through whose lineage the savior of the world Jesus Christ was born. In what mysterious ways God works?
What does “God covering us under his wings” mean today? We too just like Ruth in the story were without Christ without any covering and protection over us. Our lives were filled with insecurities, anxieties and fears. As Boaz took note of Ruth, Christ took note of us in our misery and hopelessness. Christ has paid the bridal price. Eph 1:7 reads, “In him we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins.”
Through his blood Christ redeemed us another words he acquired the ownership of our lives, we belong to him. In Isaiah 62: 5, we read, “As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride so will your God rejoices over you. As Paul says, in 2 Cor 11:2, “we are kept for our bride groom our Lord Jesus Christ.” We are his bride and his pride.
Next week we will continue exploring the depth of meaning of Psalm 91 but from what we have seen today where do you find yourself? Are you bristling against the idea of coming under His wings or are you enjoying the peace that comes from living in the shelter of the Most High and resting in the shadow of the Almighty?
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
