July 26, 2022

“You are near, O Lord, And all Your commandments are truth. 152 Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever.” ps 119:151-152 nkjv

All throughout the Bible there are some words that give emphasis to the meaning of the text that the writer has provided, that qualify the outcome of the point being made, (or reward for faith in the promise therein). For example, the word “because,” or the word “if,” and there are many others. I especially want to highlight the word “because.” Here is an example from Psalms chapter 91:

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.” ps 91:1-8 nkjv

Then there is the next verse….

“Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.” ps 91:9-13 nkjv

Then there is the “rest of the story.”

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.” ps 91:14-16 nkjv

I think that we live in the times of the perils described above, some more and some less… depending upon where in the world you are at present… as we get closer to the end of days, these perils will afflict all of the earth… some sooner than later… wherever we are in the days to come, it will really matter whether or not we are “dwelling in the secrete place of the Most High.” In that time and day, it will only be the “because” condition of our faith, obedience, and love for Yahweh and His Word that will “show us Yahweh’s Salvation.” I think we best be getting our “dwelling place” prepared now.

Shalom… John