Deeper Christian Life Ministry – Search The Scripture For June 6, 2021 (Lesson 1001) : Topic – THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH
YOUTH SEARCH THE SCRIPTURE
LESSON 1003
THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH
Memory Verse: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).
TEXT: Psalms 90: 1-17; 91: 1-16
The Psalms under consideration have a deep revelation for Christian youths who read, meditate and reflect on God’s word. They focus on the eternity of God, the frailty and limitations of human life, the earnest prayer of the wise and God’s provision of preservation and protection for all His children. In this era of insecurity, fear and trouble, the Lord wants us to recognise His power to protect and preserve from all evil.
Question 1: What are the benefits of trusting God?
Most youths are ignorant of the benefits inherent in putting their trust in God. They tend to rely on the arms of flesh to solve their daily challenges and thereby, encounter losses, failures and disappointments. But for godly youths who have made the Almighty God their absolute reliance, they are empowered to do all things (Philippians 4:13), protected and preserved (Psalm 23:4) and given all-round success (Deuteronomy 28: 1-14).
THE SOVEREIGNTY AND PREEXISTENCE OF GOD (Psalm 90:1-6; Isaiah 45:5-7; Jeremiah 32:17-27; Job 11:7; Deuteronomy 33:27; 1 Timothy 1:17; Psalm 104:5; Isaiah 40:28; John 1:1)
“Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations” (Psalm 90:1). A dwelling place is a place of rest, solace, security, shelter and refuge from something threatening, harmful or unpleasant. The world is full of troubles, challenges and trials; therefore, youths should seek peace and comfort in Christ the Lord. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Christ’s power to protect His own cannot change from generation to generation. Christian youths must ensure they abide in Him until the end. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me” (John 15:4).
Question 2: Does the Scripture prove the eternal existence of God? Yes/No
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Psalm 90:2). He is the Creator and Originator of the whole universe. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth and the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:1,2). He has been God from eternity and He is everlasting (Deuteronomy 33:27, Romans 16:26). The knowledge of His preexistence should give Christian youths the confidence and assurance to put their trust absolutely and firmly in Him. Christian youths should also form the habit of always recognising and reverencing the Almighty God in full adoration and thanksgiving. “…I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation” (Daniel 4:34). However, the reverence and worship of God by sinners are not acceptable unto Him. For this reason, the psalmist makes an urgent call to sinning youths and backsliders to return to God in total repentance and faith in Christ to avoid eternal destruction and damnation in hell. “Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, return, ye children of men” (Psalm 90:3).
SUPPLICATION FOR PRESERVATION THROUGH GOD’S MERCY (Psalm 90: 7-17; Numbers 14:17-19; Exodus 33:12-16; 34:6,7; Genesis 18:27-32; 19:29; Daniel 9:16-19; Luke 23:34; Acts 7: 59,60)
Sin brings God’s wrath and judgment upon anyone who indulges in it. “For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath we are troubled. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. For all our days are passed in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told” (Psalm 90:7-9). Sinning youths are continually under the ever-fierce wrath of God. “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11). He watches everyone and nothing can be hidden from Him. Youths who commit secret sins, thinking no one can see them should know that God’s eyes see everything and everyone (Proverb 5:21). Such youths should repent from their wicked ways to avoid regrets and sorrow on the judgment day. “While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts…” (Hebrews 3:15).
Question 3: What are the consequences of postponing one’s salvation?
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). This is the prayer of the wise. In previous verses (Psalm 90:9,10), the psalmist spoke on the brevity and frailty of human life on earth and requested that God should give us the wisdom to live with eternity in view. Today, many youths live as if the world will never end and like Governor Felix, they postpone the day of their salvation. “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25). Unfortunately, there was no record of Governor Felix’s, salvation till he departed this world. This will be the lot of any youth who continues to postpone his or her salvation. Therefore, now is the best time to give your life to the Lord. “For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Question 4: What are the benefits of receiving God’s mercy ?
“O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days” (Psalm 90:14). The psalmist, as a recipient of God’s mercy early in his life, testified to the joy and gladness that it brings. The mercy of God brings salvation, forgiveness, freedom from sin, protection and preservation from the regular changes of life. “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed” (Lamentation 3:22). During trials and challenges, the mercy of the Lord encourages and makes us strong, as well as connects us to glory and divine favour. Christian youths should always pray for God’s mercy in every area of their lives. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
THE SECURITY AND PROTECTION OF GOD’S SAINTS (Psalm 91:1-16; Deuteronomy 33:27; Isaiah 43:1-5)
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust” (Psalm 91:1,2). The promise of security and protection in this Psalm is an exclusive inheritance of God’s children who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. God is ever committed to protecting them from all evils. Youths who are still living in sin are outside the secret place of the most High; therefore, they are open to the arrows and attacks of the devil. God will always be there to protect His people wherever they go. “Fear not: for I am with thee” (Isaiah 43:5).
Question 5: Should Christian youths be afraid of the calamities around them?
Indeed, there are snares of the wicked everywhere, such as disease outbreaks, insurgency, armed robbery, destruction of lives and properties, communal crises, wars, kidnapping, cultism, banditry, etc. Christian youths should however not be afraid of all these because the Lord has promised to protect His own at all times and His promises cannot fail. “Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday” (Psalm 91:3-6). Despite the calamities around us, HE HAS PROMISED THAT “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling” (Psalm 91:10). This is only possible when we make the Lord our Refuge and our Habitation.
Question 6: Mention some Bible characters who enjoyed the ministry of angels.
“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone” (Psalm 91:11,12). The ministry of angels is obvious in the Scripture. Note that we are not to pray to any of them. Testimonies abound both in the Scripture and in present times of how God used angels to guide and rescue His children from evil and destruction. The children of Israel experienced the guiding and protective ministry of the angel of the Lord (Exodus 23:23); it was the same with Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel 6:22), our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43), Apostle Paul (Act 27:23) and Apostle Peter (Acts 12:1-11). As we love the Lord and put our trust in Him, He will continue to protect us at all times. He has promised long life for His children; therefore, premature death will not be their portion. He will fulfil the number of their days and no power of the enemy will cut short their lives. “With long life will I satisfy him and shew him, my salvation” (Psalm 91:16). The Psalms under consideration have a deep revelation for Christian youths who read, meditate and reflect on God’s word. They focus on the eternity of God, the frailty and limitations of human life, the earnest prayer of the wise and God’s provision of preservation and protection for all His children. In this era of insecurity, fear and trouble, the Lord wants us to recognise His power to protect and preserve from all evil.