Psalm 91:14-16 - The Fulfilled, Satisfied Life

Psalm 91 teaches us that the best and safest place in all the world to be is in the “secret place”, the “hidden place”, of fellowship, worship and communion with the LORD. As Brother Lawrence put it, we can “practice the presence of God” wherever we are and whatever we are doing. Yes, we should find and secure that quiet place of devotion and prayer every morning before we begin our day, but we should also continuously be walking in His presence as we deal with the cares and challenges of our daily life. Paul taught us that we should “pray without ceasing…” (1 Thessalonians 5:7). As believers we need to always remember what Paul wrote in Colossians 3:1-3, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”  We both “seek” and “set” our hearts on those things that pertain to the “kingdom of God”.  This is sometimes called “the Pursuit of God”. In the first thirteen verses of this chapter the psalmist is describing the wonderful benefits of living the “hidden life” with God. We will continuously experience God’s presence, protection, and His peace even when the enemy attacks us with his fiery darts (v. 5; Ephesians 6:10-18), or when the “pestilence” or deadly diseases are taking the lives of thousands around us (vv. 6-7).   Now in the closing verses 14-16, God Himself speaks and gives His pledge of salvation and a long and satisfying life to those of His people who truly loved Him and acknowledged Him with obedient lives. The word translated "love" is not the usual word but one that means "to cling to, to cleave, to be passionate." It is used in Deuteronomy 7:7 and 10:15 for the love Jehovah has for His people Israel. (See John 14:21-24.)  In verse 14, the LORD promises the person that “knows His name”, that He will “set him on high”. This means God’s blessings will be deliverance and protection, answered prayer, companionship in times of trouble, honor, satisfaction, and a long life (Psalm 21:4; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 30:20). To “know His name” is to be intimately acquainted with God’s character and awesome attributes!  Remember the psalmist began this chapter highlighting four different names of God. He is the Most High (Elyon; vv. 1, 9). He is higher than the kings of the earth and the false gods of the nations. He is also the Almighty (Shaddai; v. 1), the all-sufficient God who is adequate for every situation. He is LORD (vv. 2, 9, 14), Jehovah, the covenant-making God who is faithful to His promises. He is God (Elohim, v. 2), the powerful God whose greatness and glory surpass anything we can imagine. The salvation mentioned at the end of the Psalm may mean help and deliverance during life, as in Psalm 50:23, and no doubt the joy of beholding the glory of God after a long and satisfied life. To the Jewish people, living a long life and seeing one's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, was the ultimate of blessing in this life. Like Abraham, they wanted to die in a good old age and "full of years" (Gen. 25:8), which means "a fulfilled life." It's one thing for doctors to add years to our life, but God adds life to our years and makes that life worthwhile.   A fulfilled and satisfied life will only be found by thosewho truly love the Lord and live daily in obedience to His Word. Jesus said it this way in John 14:21&23, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." …"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”  The long, fulfilled, and satisfying life is the blessing reserved for the person who lives the “hidden life in Christ” and “who dwells in the secret place of the Most High”.  May the LORD help us to seek this life today! God bless!