Part Two

You are the Temple!

Psalms 91:2–4

“I will say to the Lord (Adonai), ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God (Elohi[m]), in whom I trust” (v. 2).

 Refuge and fortress are very strong expressions indicating that God is sovereign, the ruler of the universe.

 Shelter of the Most High (v. 1) and refuge, fortress (v. 2) are references to the Temple where the presence of God dwelt. As dangers from demons, war, wild beasts, and plagues do exist and do happen to believers, protection, security, and peace were found within the Temple. “For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock” (Ps. 27:5). Within the psalm there is an interchange of first and second persons (first person: I/We; second person: You). God directly speaks in verses 14–16. “For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence” (v. 3).

The second person speaks. Trapper refers to the fowler, the one who entraps birds. The implication is that God will protect you from the dangerous attempts against your life that comes from evil, pestilence, famine, et.al. “He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark” (v.4). This is the verse I use when I sign letters and correspondence, I write: Shalom and Blessings, Until He comes, we are Together Under His Wings.

Pinions is a reference to a bird spreading its wings over its young in the nest protecting, shielding, covering, hiding them from potential danger.

Under His wings according to Rashi (1040–1105) is the Shekinah (Divine Presence of God). Believers rest in His shadow, for God protects him. The wings may also refer to the cherubim on either side of the Ark (Exod. 25:17–22). The Divine Presence hovered over the Ark.

Shield: A shield could in fact completely surround and protect the warrior. The Talmud suggests it was a shield that moved round about him (Ibn Ezra and Targum).

Bulwark: A bulwark is a wall, a barricade, protection, and defense against attack. Both shield and bulwark are an encompassing shield of protection.

Points to Ponder:

1. God is sovereign, the ruler of the universe.
2. Believers are under the Divine Presence of God.
3. God’s protection is an encompassing shield.
4. The Temple, where the presence of God dwells, is where you find safety and peace.
5. For those of you who are believers in Jesus remember Paul’s words: “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:19–20 (NKJV)).
6. The peace, protection, and safety we all long for is found in Jesus. The presence of God, through the Holy Spirit, dwells in you. We need not fear.

“…In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 (NKJV)).

 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27 (NKJV)).

 “Lord, because you have made me, I owe you the whole of my love;
because you have redeemed me, I owe you the whole of myself;
because you have promised so much, I owe you my whole being.
Moreover, I owe you as much more love than myself as you are greater than I,
for whom you gave yourself and to whom you promised yourself.
I pray you, Lord, make me taste by love what I taste by knowledge;
let me know by love what I know by understanding.
I owe you more than my whole self, but I have no more,
and by myself I cannot render the whole of it to you.
Draw me to you, Lord, in the fullness of your love.
I am wholly yours by creation; make me all yours, too, in love.”
— Anselm (AD 1033–1109)