So, I just learned something new!
I’ve always thought of Psalm 91 as a perfect example of God’s promises for us, His people! Listen to these verses:
Psalm 91:1-3 AMPC—He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].
I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust! For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
This Psalm is a perfect example of the “If I do this…THEN God will bless me with that” promises. But what I didn’t realize is that it’s a perfect example of the Law being lived well.
Only problem with that is that we’re no longer living in the under the Law, but under Grace. Just as Romans 6:14 AMPC tells us—For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God’s favor and mercy].
God’s “If you do this—then I will do that” statements under the Law became a series of “I will” statements…without the “If you first” statements, under Grace.
Take a look at these 5 “I will” statements from God to Abram found in Genesis 12:1-3 AMPC:
1️⃣ I will make of you a great nation
2️⃣ I will bless you with abundant increase of favors
3️⃣ I will make your name famous and distinguished
4️⃣ I will bless those who bless you
5️⃣ I will curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you
(By the way: Five is the number for grace in the Bible.)
Notice that there’s no longer any “if you, then I will” statements. It’s strictly “I WILL” from God. There was nothing that Abram had to do to earn these blessings.
Read through the New Testament carefully and see how many times you read about God’s graciousness toward His people. How many times Jesus says, that you will receive what you have asked for. How many times Paul talks about God’s provision and Grace.
Did you know that Grace is God’s provision for your every need? Just as it says in 2 Peter 1:3 AMPC–For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).
Notice that you didn’t earn any part of that. It’s God’s Divine power that’s given “all things” to you as a gift. Bestow means to give an honor, right, or gift. God has given you the gift of ALL THINGS…and just so you know…that word “ALL” really means ALL, everything.
You can’t earn the gift of Salvation. You can’t earn the gift of healing. You can’t earn all the blessings that Jesus’ death released for you. You can only receive it. Jesus is the One Who’s spotless, sinless life earned it for you. Jesus is the One Who satisfied the justice that the Law demanded.
The Law showed you clearly that there’s no way you can fulfill any of it, in and of yourself. You needed Jesus, the spotless Lamb, to do it for you! And now that He has—Grace has been afforded to you and you became the righteousness of God IN Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).
For you to try and do anything now to receive His Grace and Favor is to say “Christ’s death wasn’t enough for me! I need to add my fleshly and sinful actions to ensure I receive His promises.”
It’s not Jesus’ death plus your goodness! It’s Jesus’ death that results in your goodness. It’s only as you stand in His finished work on the cross that you are righteous. Nothing you can do will ensure righteousness for you. It’s ONLY WHAT JESUS DID THAT MAKES YOU RIGHTEOUS!
Psalm 91 was written in the age of Law and it showed the heart of the man God loved…King David. But because Jesus died for you, you no longer have to earn your righteousness and God’s Favor. It’s already yours…because Jesus paid the price for you!
It’s God’s Love shed abroad in your heart, His Grace and His Favor poured out in abundance into your life that now causes you to say of the Lord, “He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!” Psalm 91:2.
You don’t “speak” because you want to earn and deserve His Favor but because His Favor is so abundantly and freely poured out into your life.
Don’t try to earn what God’s already paid for. Accept the free gift and learn to live in, and enjoy, all the blessings He wants to pour out into your life!