Psalm 91 has been brought up more than ever during these recent times & it should be! In Many translations it's labeled as the protection verse. The Passion Translation titles it as "Safe & Secure".
This verse tells us what happens to those who sit and dwell in the presence of the Lord. The word used in the original text for dwell in Hebrew is Yashab meaning to sit down, remain, stay, live, or to be set. This paints a picture of an individual setting up permanent camp, not setting up for just a season, not being a nomad but making a comfortable home. This also paints the life we were called to live in his presence. Not one visiting, not going in and out of the presence of , but setting up camp or a permanent dwelling in the shelter of him and his word. In the message version of this scripture it says that by setting up camp in his presence we are telling him "God, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!".
Us living out of the presence of the most high when we are invited (or not understanding that we are in his presence and what that means) would make as much sense as a person setting up camp next to the protection of a kingdom that has towers and armies to fight off enemies and then moving the settlement further out where the walls and armies can no longer protect them or telling the kingdom "oh its okay we can fight this battle on our own" . It just wouldn't make sense! Especially when the word tells us that "our enemy" the Devil is roaming around as a lion seeking whom he may devour!
According this Psalm 91 here are all of the things that belong to us when we dwell in his presence according to The Passion Translation:
-Your hidden in the strength of God(verse 1)
-He rescues you from EVERY hidden trap of the enemy, false accusation and any deadly curse. (verse 3)
-He keeps you from harm (verse 4)
- You don't have to fear an attack of demonic forces, or darkness coming against you (verse 5)
-You don't have to fear a single thing! (Verse 6)
-You will remain unscathed , unharmed even if those around you are falling and your being attacked (verse 7)
-You are Shielded from harm, evil wont prevail and disease will not infect you ( Verse 9-10)
-Angels protect you (Verse 11)
-If you walk into a trap you will not stumble (Verse 12)
-Even the fiercest powers of darkness will trample under your feet! (Verse 14)
-He will answer your cry for help EVERY time you pray(Verse 15)
-You will find and feel his presence even in time of pressure or trouble (Verse 15)
- You will be satisfied with full life and enjoy the fullness of his salvation! (Verse 16)
I don't know about you, but this sounds like a great deal! All this comes from living a life dwelling with him and staying in his presence. So how do we stay in his presence? Do we have to pray a certain amount, or do good deeds or make sure we check off a checklist of good deeds?
Before Christ only priests could enter into the presence of the Lord, only those with right standing with God who were cleansed by blood. In psalm 37:5 TPT says "If you truly want to dwell forever in Gods presence, forsake evil and do what is right in his eyes".
However when Christ died for us and sacrificed himself for us while we were yet sinners something amazing happened!
Hebrews 10:19-25 MSG says " So, friends, we can now-without hesitation-walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God, The "curtain" into God's presence is his body. So let's do it-full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out."
We now can enter in knowing we are presentable due to what Christ has done! Ephesians 3:12 says "..In him and through faith in him we may enter Gods presence with boldness."
In other words we enter his presence by grace through faith in him just the same as you got saved! According to 1 John 4:13 YLT " In this we know that in Him we do REMAIN, and He in us, beause of his Spirit he hath given us."
So I encourage you today to remind yourself of his presence. Go to his word and let him speak to you today, let him minister strength and healing to you today and know you can do it with confidence that it is the place you were called to live in! He has answers you have been looking for, he has things you are in need of, he has strength for you to fight addiction, he has joy to fight depression, he has healing to fight sickness. You don't have to have your hair done, house in order or perfect setting to be in his presence he is already right there with you. You don't have to spend three hours straight in his word (although you may want to sometimes)! You can spend five minutes with him in your car on your way to work, and another minute with him when you are walking to an office across the hall. You just speak to him and listen to him and live knowing you were called to dwell in his presence and don't forget the benefits!
I encourage you to read psalm 91 today and remind yourself of what is yours by way of Christ today! We have some things to praise him for!