God Is My… (Psalms), 1

~ God Is My Shield ~

Introduction  ~  Previously from July 16, 2017 through January 6, 2019 ALN posted a series of 60 posts of “Jesus is…,” and now we look exclusively at who “God is…” from the Book of Psalms.  While not a complete list these posts occur are in the same order they are in the Psalms. 

Passage  ~  “Lord, how they have increased who trouble me!  Many are they who rise up against me.  Many are they who say of me, ‘There is no help for him in God.’  Selah.  

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.  I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill” (Psalm 3:1-4). 

Significance  ~  God is our protector! 

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

“‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Comment  ~  God has provided everything that His people need.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:10-28).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Shadow of His Wings

~ Consider Some of the Benefits of Being Under His Wings  ~

“The owl will nest there and lay eggs, she will hatch them, and care for her young under the shadow of her wings; there also the falcons will gather, each with its mate” (Isaiah 34:15).

The Scriptures present a beautiful word picture of the Christian’s place as a child of God—being under the shadow of His wings.

A Place of Hiding  ~  “Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You from those who rise up against them.  Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings, from the wicked who oppress me, from my deadly enemies who surround me” (Psalm 17:7-9). 

A Place of Refuge  ~  “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!  For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by.  I will cry out to God Most High, to God who performs all things for me.  He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up.  Selah.  God shall send forth His mercy and His truth” (Psalm 57:1-3). 

“Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.  He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.  You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday” (Psalm 91:3-6).   

A Place of Trust  ~  “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!  Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.  They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.  For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light” (Psalm 36:7-9). 

“For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.  I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.  Selah” (Psalm 61:3-4). 

A Place of Abundant Satisfaction  ~  “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!  Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.  They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.  For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light” (Psalm 36:7-9).  

A Place of Rejoicing  ~  True joy is yet another asset of those who know their Creator and know their final destiny.  “When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.  Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.  My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:6-8). 

summary:  “Under the shadow of His wings” is a wonderful word picture of the benefits Christians enjoy.  For example, protection is a key element of being a child of God—a place of hiding and of refuge is provided for those who have put their trust in God.  

Consistent and reliable love is another key element.  Abundant satisfaction far beyond what is obtainable in any other way is perhaps one of the best descriptions of the Christian life—“Abundant Life Now!”    

response:  How about you?  Are you under His protection?  Do you have complete confidence in His never failing love toward you?  Do you maintain a deep inner satisfaction and joy regardless of your circumstances?

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Christ in The Psalms

~ Jesus Christ Is Our Shepherd and Much More ~

The Bible is about Jesus Christ  ~  “Jesus said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

Christ in The Psalms  ~  In the Jewish Song Book our Messiah is seen as our Shepherd, our fortress, our Rock, our All in All, and the Beloved of God.  He is our Morning  Song.  The Book of Psalms looks forward to the ultimate glorious and righteous King.  “Who is this King of Glory?” (Psalm 24:8a) – None other than the Messiah, Jesus Christ—the Anointed One.

The Basic Key  ~  To understand the Book of Psalms and its relationship with the rest of the Bible is to understand the difference between Christianity and other religions—it is a relationship, not a religion!   Throughout  Psalms we find a God who understands the emotional side of human life and invites us to have an intimate relationship with Him.   While on earth the Messiah identified Himself with the human experience.  He understands our plight on earth and He is our Great High Priest.  “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16). 

Comment  ~  We have only touched the surface of Christ in The Psalms.  Much more could be said about the Messiah in Israel’s songbook.

additional comment: There are many references to Jesus Christ, the Messiah, throughout the Book of Psalms.  Consider the following three examples (not intended to be a complete list):

Psalm 2:7 with Hebrews 1:5

Psalm 45:6-7 with Hebrews 1:8-9

Psalm 104:4 with Hebrews 1:7

additional comment: While on earth Jesus Christ often quoted the Scriptures including (not intended to be a complete list):

Psalm 8:2 in Matthew 21:16

Psalm 22:1 in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34

Psalm 31:5 in Luke 23:46

Psalm 41:9 in John 13:18

Psalm 69:4 in John 15:25

Psalm 82:6 in John 10:34

Psalm 118:22-23 in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10-11, and Luke 20:17

Psalm 110:1 in Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, and Luke 20:42-43

additional comment: The Book of Psalms is often quoted in the New Testament.  Compare the following examples (not intended to be a complete list): 

Psalm 2:1-2 with Acts 4:25

Psalm 2:7 with Acts 13:33, Hebrews 1:5, and Hebrews 5:5 

Psalm 2:9 with Revelation 2:27 

Psalm 4:4 with Ephesians 4:26

Psalm 5:9-10 with Romans 3:10-18

Psalm 8:4-6 with I Corinthians 15:27 and Hebrews 2:6-8

Psalm 10:7 with Romans 3:10-18

Psalm 14:1-3 with Romans 3:10-18

Psalm 16:8-11 with Acts 2:25-28 and Acts 13:35 

Psalm 18:49 with Romans 15:9

Psalm 19:4 with Romans 10:18

Psalm 22:18 with Matthew 27:35 and John 19:24

Psalm 22:22 with Hebrews 2:12 

Psalm 27:1 with Hebrews 13:6

Psalm 32:1-2 with Romans 4:7-8

Psalm 34:12-16 with 1 Peter 3:10-12

Psalm 34:20 with John 19:36

Psalm 36:1-2 with Romans 3:10-18

Psalm 40:6-8 with Hebrews 10:5-7 and 10:8-9 

Psalm 44:22 with Romans 8:36

Psalm 51:4 with Romans 3:4 

Psalm 53:1-3 with Romans 3:10-18

Psalm 55:22  with 1 Peter 5:7

Psalm 62:12 with Romans 2:6 

Psalm 68:18 with Ephesians 4:8

Psalm 69:9 with John 2:17 and Romans 25:3

Psalm 69:22-23 with Romans 11:9

Psalm 69:25 with Acts 1:20

Psalm 78:2 with Matthew 13:35

Psalm 89:20 with Acts 13:22

Psalm 91:11-12 with Matthew 4:6 and Luke 4:10-11

Psalm 94:11 with 1 Corinthians 3:20

Psalm 95:7-11 with Hebrews 3:7-11, 15, 4:3, 5, and 4:7

Psalm 102:25-27 with Hebrews 1:10-12

Psalm 109:8 with Acts 1:20

Psalm 110:1 with Acts 2:34-35, and Hebrews 1:13

Psalm 110:4 with Hebrews 5:6, 10, 7:17, and 7:21

Psalm 112:9 with 2 Corinthians 9:9

Psalm 116:10 with 2 Corinthians 4:13

Psalm 117:1 with Romans 15:11

Psalm 118:6 with Hebrews 13:6 

Psalm 118:22-23 with Acts 4:11, and 1 Peter 2:7

Psalm 118:26 with Matthew 21:9, Mark 11:9, Luke 13:35, 19:38, and John 12:13

Psalm 140:3 with Romans 3:10-18

The Apostle Paul told us the Scriptures present many shadows of things to come but the reality is found in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:17). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “JESUS CHRIST IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE” SERIES ~~~  

(1)  Approximately once a month ALN posts an overview of how Jesus Christ is seen in a specific book of the Bible.

(2)  In most cases these posts only scratch the surface regarding Jesus Christ in the particular book.

(3)  These posts will typically be in the same order as the books are found in the Bible.

(4)  These serial posts are in addition to our other ALN postings.

(5)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).