Psalm 91: A Complete Refuge 4

Psalm 91 [short series].

The Psalm is not only an assurance of God's refuge in this life but also a sermon of hope - a hope for a trouble-free, satisfying next life. The Psalmist describes the next life in the context of sight, what you will see. It's like sightseeing in a place with a restricted area, where you need a pass to get into. He mentions two sights: judgment (v8) and salvation (v16). And, for those in God's refuge, their sightseeing ends with salvation into a satisfying life.

His Refuge is complete into the next life!
Psalm 91:7-10, 16

So, two sights...

• You will see judgment (v7-10)

Verse 7 begins by alluding to troubles in thousands falling around you but not coming near you. Does this mean if you trust God, no evil will befall you? Well, yes and no! It's an issue of timing - this life or the next life. Let's see how the Psalm unpacks this promise:

The thousands of trouble (in v7) is the recompense of the wicked (v8), which looks like an evil plague (v10). And the way you will be saved from this plague is if you have made the Lord your dwelling place (v9). A parallel to the Exodus event.

God's first picture of judgment and salvation for Israel as a nation is the Exodus. God rescues Israel from Egypt, but first, He judges Egypt by plagues for their evil acts. In Exodus 12:29, God sends a final plague upon Egypt. And God instructs the Israelites on how they will be saved from this plague: by dwelling in a house marked by the blood of a lamb (Exodus 12:21-23).

The last plague for Egypt was God's final judgment on Egypt before the Exodus rescue. In referring to the last plague, the promise of verse 7 is protection from God's final judgment. In that final judgment, the wicked will fall (v7-8) - anyone not dwelling in that blood-scared refuge of the Lord will face the plague of God's judgment (v8-10). But to those dwelling in the Lord - in Christ, "it will not come near you" - you will only see it with your eyes, but you will also see salvation. (Hebrews 9:27-28. John 11:25-26.)

• But you will also see salvation (v16)

The Psalm also gives us a picture of what His final salvation looks like - an entry into the next life (v16):

• It's Satisfying: A life free of sin, suffering, satan's control, fear and worries, and God's judgment.
• It's Long: A life where that satisfaction never ends. It's not momentary. It's eternal.
• It's Divine: God says I will show you 'my salvation'. Every time God shows salvation, He sends someone. At the Exodus, He sends an angel. At the salvation of all creation, He sends His Son. At your first salvation, when you say, "Jesus is my Lord and Saviour", He sends His Spirit to live in you. But on that day, when He shows you His salvation, the El Shaddai will hold your hand, HE will welcome you home, and you will see HIM face to face - that ... is the perfect sight! (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Now, God's refuge is open to all, but there's only one pass, only one way into it - and His name is Jesus. Put your trust in Him! (Psalm 91:2, John 14:1, 6) There is a future salvation, but until that day comes, we do not lose heart. Instead, we fix our eyes on Jesus, and we fix our eyes on what is unseen - our future salvation (Hebrews 12:2, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV).

Reflect & Pray

How does the promise of a future salvation encourage you? What might you share from Psalm 91 to encourage someone?

Thank you, Father, for the future salvation we will see in the next life. Please help us to be lights that lead people into this promise.

God bless you exceedingly,
Sam.