Psalm 91 - Pastor Prince Message Redux!

PSALM 91 for the ECONOMIC MELTDOWN
-by Paul van der Hoorn.

This morning I felt the Lord telling me to re-write Psalm 91... I hope
it may inspire you all to continue to trust in His grace and mercy,
for a time such as this.

PSALM 91 - paraphrased by Paul v d H. - 30.11.08:

Subtitle - THE ECONOMIC MELTDOWN & HOW to OVERCOME

Those who live in the shelter of the Lord Jesus Christ
Will find rest, even in His shadow
This I declare of the Lord
He alone is my refuge, my shelter and place of safety
He is my God,
and I am trusting Him
For He will rescue me from every trap
And protect me from every fatal accident
He will shield me with His arms
His faithful promises are my weapons and protection

Don't be afraid of any threats of the night
Nor fear any dangers during the day
Nor dread the plagues (like HIV) that stalk in darkness
Nor any disaster that might try to strike you during the day

Though many fall at your side
Though thousands are perishing all around you
These evils will not touch you
But you will see with your own eyes
How the wicked are punished

If you make the Lord your refuge
If you make the Most High your shelter
No evil will conquer you
No plague will come near your house
For He orders His angels
To protect you wherever you go
They will support you with their hands
To keep you from even striking your foot on a stone
You will trample down crooks and criminals under your feet

The Lord says "I will rescue those who love Me
I will protect those who trust in My Name
When they call on Me I will answer
I will be with them in trouble
I will rescue them and even honour them
I will satisfy them with long life
And give them my eternal salvation"
Amen

So Now We Need to Earn God's Protection?

Derek Prince ministries sent one of its emails titled "True Security" to encourage people to know that God surrounds the righteous with favour like a shield. What's amazing is that the same email has in a way disqualifies its readers to say that the favour needed to be earned in order for the Lord's grace, the unearned and unmerited favour, be upon us.

The bible verse in question:

For You; O Jehovah, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield. (Psa 5:12)

And in the email this is what being said about the verse in question,

"But there is one thing still sure in life, that God blesses the righteous. We need to spend much more concern about making sure that our lives are right before God, that we qualify for that blessing of the Lord which He reserves for the righteous, which is only for the righteous."

So what is the email trying to say here? That we also need to earn our salvation as well?

No! That is not right! That is not what Apostle Paul has been trying to convince us believers for so many generations!

for as through the disobedience of the one man, the many were constituted sinners: so also through the obedience of the one, shall the many be constituted righteous. (Rom 5:19)

Through Adam, his disobedience, we are constituted as sinners and so through the obedience of one, Christ Jesus we are now constituted as righteous.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Jesus Christ has redeemed us from the status of sinners to the status of righteous!

And what is the advantage of being the righteous of God, so much so we are called royal priesthood in the order of Melchizedek, the King of Righteousness?

having been called out by God as a High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. (Heb 5:10)

The advantage is this: God has clothed us with a shield of favour!!

For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (Rom 8:38)

nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. (Rom 8:39)


Don't belittle Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. His sacrifice has brought us righteousness that according to Paul, that no one will separate us from the Love of God. And if nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (that means believers), do you think for a micro second, that by our filthy works and unrighteous acts, God would be separated from us?

If the answer is NO, then why is there a "...need to spend much more concern about making sure that our lives are right before God" to enjoy His blessings?

The Gospel of our times in this age: God has already blessed us with a shield of unmeasurable favour and grace that is enough for eternity. Favour to be a blessing to ourselves so that we can be a blessing to others.

All Praise to the Lord's complete work on the cross!