In The Here and the Hereafter

Certainly, when it comes to saving the best for last, Psalm 91 delivers! It blesses us with the promise that our lives and times are in the hands of God. We have traveled through this Psalm and been reminded of all the dangers we face in life but assured that the Most High God would be with us in all aspects of adversity. Though any of the enemies mentioned could shorten our days, here we have the promise of lengthened days for the one who puts their trust in the Lord. Does this mean everyone will have a long life and live to a ripe old age? Not necessarily. But it does shed light on living a satisfied life. One that is anchored in the salvation of Christ. For a follower of Jesus, we are promised eternal life. That is a long life! Once we place our trust in Him, we are given the opportunity to be fully satisfied, whether our earthly days are short or long.” For I know,” as Paul shares in Philippians 1:21, “To live is Christ and to die is gain” (NIV). The promise in Psalm 91:16 reminds us that a short life with God is more satisfying than long days without him. Likewise, Paul declares living with Christ is satisfying, and to die and be with him and experience the fullness of our salvation, even more satisfying.

In the day and context this was written, which I like to think of as Old Testament culture, it was customary to value a long life highly. This was a blessing of God to be sought and, if granted, assured you of the favor of God. Remember, throughout old testament history the Lord had continuously shortened that man’s life. The verbal and written accounts of peoples’ days had been handed down from generation to generation. King David’s kids knew their ancestors had lived hundreds of years. So to receive the gift of lengthened days was believed to be the mark of distinct divine blessing.

Interestingly enough, in the time of Christ, folks often did not survive to see the age of 50. So the conclusion I arrive at is whatever age I attain, it is because God has blessed me with those days. When I placed my trust in Christ and His redemption, at that moment, I began living eternal life. So, in essence, I was given the assurance of a long life and the opportunity to be satisfied. Through His writings, the Psalmist reminds us of all the dangers of life but concludes that God’s delivery is a portion of His physical rescue. But, it is the revelation of the salvation of our soul that brings true satisfaction. The only way I could know OF the Salvation from God is to be revealed BY God. Personally, when the Psalmist refers in verse 1 of the secret place of the Most High, the secret place symbolically and is in Christ alone.

Too often in this life, I lose my eternal perspective. I get sidetracked trying to calculate the direction of arrows or investigate the footprints of lions. I am alarmed when I see the shed skin of symbolic cobras along the path of daily life or obsess over having practiced enough good health habits to ward off pestilence and plagues. While God has given me senses to make me aware of these threats, His desire for me in the daily is to fellowship with Him and allow Him to show me in countless ways the benefits of His salvation. I live in a culture that is obsessed with youthfulness. If I do not practice wisdom, I can be overtaken by the length of my days and miss out on the satisfying life God offers, no matter my age or the state of my wrinkles. The scriptures tell me truthfully that “though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.”2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV). This by no means dismisses my responsibility to care for my body and mind, but it is God’s spirit in me that will keep me satisfied long after my memory starts slipping and my body betrays me.

This Psalm for the Season series has been amazing refreshing for me as I have meditated on all the aspects of this beautiful writing of poetry and promise. It has been a regrounding of both my physical and spiritual feet. It has renewed my passion for God’s call on my life in these strange days I dwell and reminds me that God’s word is the way through.

I thank you, Lord, Most High, that you have revealed to me your secret place and have shown me your salvation. Thank you for reminding me that while my body is not as new as it once was, my spirit is vibrant and energized by your abundant life. Please help me in my moments of discontentment to recognize; satisfaction is a choice you have given to me, and it is always reliable and constant when it is in you alone. Thank you that in this Psalm, you have promised protection, deliverance, empowerment, and blessing. In both the here and the hereafter.

Come back next time where it begins to look like Christmas may be coming to the vineyard in a new series with the 5 o’clock worker!