Sermon 183

📖 Sermon 183 — Psalm 91:1–4

Date: January 1, 1951
Text: Psalm 91:1–4
Preacher: G. S. Kok
Subject: A Secure People

INTRODUCTION

Every day we are reminded that things do not look very good for the year 1951. Many voices warn that great danger lies ahead. It almost seems that the only subjects worth speaking or writing about are danger and fear.
There is good reason to believe real danger is coming. As a result, many people are deeply concerned about safety for themselves and for their families. They ask:
Is there any way to escape?
How can I make myself and my family secure in the face of danger — atomic warfare, communistic oppression, economic collapse?
The psalmist tells us that it is possible to enjoy perfect safety and perfect security in a dangerous world. He even describes people who already enjoy that complete security.

I. THEIR IDENTITY

A. They are ordinary people of all walks of life

1. Not only the rich.
2. Not only the educated.

B. They are people of all nationalities

1. Their security is not tied to citizenship in any particular nation.
2. It is an international people.

C. They dwell in a secret place

1. A place unknown to enemies.
2. A place belonging to the Most High.
3. The presence of the supreme Ruler of all things.
4. That is their home — they live there.
   Not merely a storm cellar or emergency shelter.
   Not a temporary refuge.
   But their permanent residence.

II. HOW DO THEY OBTAIN THIS SECURITY?

A. What it means to dwell in the secret place of the Most High

1. To be under His protecting care.
2. To be under the shadow of the Almighty.

B. By putting their trust in God

1. Not merely by saying, I trust in God.
2. But by actually placing themselves in His care, the way a mother leaves her child with a trusted friend.
3. Trusting God as one entrusts money to a vault — placing one’s life in His keeping.
4. Surrendering oneself entirely into the care of Jehovah.

C. Taking refuge in Jehovah

1. The eternally faithful covenant God.
2. He is my refuge and my fortress.

D. Placing full confidence in the Word of God

1. Trusting that God will keep His promises.
2. Being assured that God is completely trustworthy.

III. JUST HOW SECURE ARE THEY?

A. Does this mean no physical harm will ever touch them?

1. Some claim this — that any believer who meets a violent death must not have been a true child of God.
2. But Scripture and history contradict this.
   Many faithful saints have died violent deaths.
3. If a bomb fell on this church, would it kill only the hypocrites and unbelievers?
4. The righteous also suffer the dangers common to all mankind — and in addition, they suffer special dangers for Christ’s sake. Many martyrs died awful deaths because of their love for the Lord.

B. Their true security
All things work together for their good.

C. Nothing can separate them from the love of God
Not death, nor life, nor persecution, nor danger.