Psalm 91 Part Three
We’ve established that the promises of God from Psalm 91 are contingent on you being in fellowship with God. You’ve begun to experience Him and He knows you because of this precious time you’ve spent together. The promises of deliverance and protection become real as your confidence grows stronger but that doesn’t occur by osmosis; it happens because you’ve chosen to dwell and abide in His presence.
The Psalmist continues in verses 7-13 painting the picture of ‘boots on the ground’ warfare. It’s a fascinating segway. Satan begins a slow infusion of fear into your heart but due to the Spirit’s residence, it has no entryway, you only observe God’s punishment of the wicked (vs. 8). Why is that? As a believer, the punishment required for sin was suffered by Jesus on your behalf and your present assignment is to listen and learn from your commanding officer. Time spent at His feet will keep Satan under your feet. Let’s go deeper into that image.
Verse ten doesn’t tell us that evil isn’t allowed into our life but that it will be disallowed from conquering or overtaking us. Huge difference. The result of spending time with God is His guidance into wisdom and direction for you and your family’s life. Fear and dread of the future won’t be permitted because you’ve made God the highest authority and have learned to trust Him; He’s become your safe house or sanctuary. Your mind is focused on Him.
God is so passionate about you that He’ll send angelic bodyguards in case you get tripped up; they’re ready to put you back in position. What position? That of a victorious warrior and conqueror of Satan who’s operating against you.
Verse thirteen gives us the picture of those ‘boots on the ground’ who tread and trample. The Hebrew word for tread means to march victoriously or to bend the bow, take aim, and fire! As believers in Jesus Christ we have the authority to march into combat and keep the lion, king of the beasts and the serpent, the devious deceiver, in their rightful positions: under our feet (vs. 13).
And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:22-23 ESV
The Christian church is filled with God, therefore, everything under Jesus’ feet is rightfully under our feet. Since the death and resurrection of Christ we’ve been restored to our position over Satan; he’s our adversary but we are his conquerors. He may nibble at our heels, as Spurgeon writes, but we trample him down at every turn.
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Romans 16:20 ESV
You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet. Hebrews 2:7-8 ESV
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