Action or Reaction

 Temple Baptist Church - 2-15-2026

Psalm 141

 

Introduction:

A.  Here, we find David in another troublesome time of his life.  This Psalm was written in retrospect.  There is an old saying that hindsight is 20/20?  David did not react in one way but he did in another.

 

1.  The backdrop for this particular Psalm is likely found in 1 Samuel chapter 24, when David tried to escape Saul by hiding in a cave with his men.  Saul then entered the cave, also with some of his men, and slept. 

 

2.  Now trapped, David’s men encouraged David to kill his enemy.  There is a worldly theory that the best defense is a good offense.  Though in some things, like basketball, where good defense produces good offense, it is not necessarily good advice spiritually. 

 

3.  David had an opportunity to take the life of Saul while he slept, but chose rather to cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe. 

 

4.  God smote David’s heart because he had stretched forth his hand against the anointed of the Lord.

 

B.  In times of trouble, we often become reactionary instead of proactive. 

 

1.  We often call this a “knee-jerk.”  No thought process before or during something that puts the believer in a hard place.  With this in mind, I want to examine how David handled his predicament.  He and his men are now trapped within the place of refuge that David chose.  But the trapped place became a trap or an opportunity for reprisal against his pursuer, King Saul.

 

2.  Proactive – tending to initiate change rather than reacting to events.  Thinking before acting.  Plan your plan and work your plan.  Understanding the positive and negative results of our actions before proceeding. 

 

3.  Knee Jerk – an automatic response without thinking.  There have been more than one occasion when I reacted without thinking, pausing to consider the problem and how to resolve it in a godly manner.  Almost invariably, I have paid a price for my reaction.

 

4.  There are times in life’s hard places when we are tempted to react.  Reaction to harsh words.  Reaction to harsh treatment.  Reaction to betrayal or pressure.  Proverbs 15:1

 

C.  In this psalm, we find that David chose to be proactive in his predicament.  He chose to respond in a less violent way, but not in the right way.  Now, we see his assessment of his reaction.

 

1.  Verses 1-2.  David’s Dilemma.  He is trapped in the cave by his enemies.  David chose to find counsel in the Lord rather than in his men.  To react with prayer instead of the flesh.  Though we can find good counsel in men, we are not to put confidence in men.  This is not an oxymoron but a realization that the counsel of men can be wrong, as they are also human.  We are to weigh the validity of men’s counsel by seeking God’s counsel.  Much is said in the Bible about wrong places of confidence.  Our confidence is to be in the Lord.

 

a.  David needed an immediate response.  Psalms 141:1  A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.

 

b.  David received immediate advice from his men, but not necessarily sound advice.  When problems come upon us in a moment’s time, we need an answer quickly, and there is little or no time for us to say, “Wait for a little while and give me time to call my counselors.” 

 

c.  David’s men were ready for him to kill Saul, God’s anointed!  David’s reaction was both spiritual and prayerful.  David did not allow himself to be pressured into something that he knew was a wrong response.

 

2.  Verses 3-4.  David’s Desire.

 

a.  Verse 3.  Guard my lips.  In times like these, we often say things in the heat of the moment that will come back to haunt us later.

 

Proverbs 15:1  A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

 

b.  Verse 4.  Guard my heart.  In times like these, when we react, we often do things we would never do if we thought them through.

 

Matthew 6:13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

 

c.  Verse 5.  Guard my spirit.  We must keep the right spirit in hard times as others watch.  David would later, in his penitential prayer in Psalm 51:10, say, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

 

3.  Verses 5-7.   David’s Determination.  David was realistic!  He fully understood that not everything works out for the child of God in this world.  There will be times when we all suffer.

 

a.  David was determined not to be moved from doing right during this hard time.

 

Acts 20:22-24  And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:  (23)  Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.  (24)  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

 

b.  In the end, God will bring about justice.  We are not to seek vengeance, as vengeance belongs to the Lord.

 

c.  The battles that we face are not always easy, and the way will sometimes be hard.  We will suffer in this world for righteousness; we will be persecuted because of godliness.  We do not always win every battle, but we will win the war!

 

4.  Verses 8-10.  David’s Dependence.  Whatever may come, God will always be with the child of God.

 

a.  God will always be with the believer.  Matthew 28:20b  “and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”  (The word “lo” is the second person singular imperative middle voice.  It means Behold!  To be sure of or to fully understand. It is used to draw attention.)

 

b.  God will always give grace or a way of escape.  1 Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

Conclusion:  When trouble comes suddenly, learn not to “knee-jerk” act, but instead to act.  Be proactive instead of reactive. 

 

1.  Pray  2.  Guard your mouth.  3.  Guard your heart.  4.  Guard your spirit.  5.  Endure your hardships.  6.  Looking unto Jesus.  7. Trust God with the outcome. 

 

2.  Never “Knee Jerk”.  Be proactive by making up your mind before such an event occurs to act in a godly manner.  I have learned to ask God for patience before I need it.

 

Hebrews 10:35-37  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.  (36)  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.  (37)  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

 

3.  Act instead of react, and there will be fewer regrets.

Thriving in 2026 - Abiding and Purging

Temple Baptist Church - 2-15-2026

John 15:1-5

 

Introduction: 

A.  Are we “Thriving or Surviving?”  God wants us to thrive in these last days!  To thrive, we must abide. 

 

B.  John 15 mentions both pruning and purging of the branches.  The commentators make these two words virtually the same.  THEY are different!  If they had the same meaning, they would be spelled alike!

 

1. By pruning, God breaks off the unfruitful branches.  Bad branches!  Over the years, we have had families and individuals who just never got into the church. I call them “Out lyers.”  You either abideth (notice the eth ending: present perfect tense.  Faithful to God.) in Christ or you do not.  If you never get faithful, you will eventually get out!  Do not make God break your branch off, as Satan and the world will devour you, that the spirit might be saved.

 

1 Corinthians 5:5  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

 

2.  By purging, God trims the branch. Good branches!  Though the branch has brought forth fruit, God trims off that which is not productive, allowing more of the sap that comes from the Vine to invigorate and grow more and much fruit.

 

a)  By purging the branches, removing the shoots and suckers that are not fruit-bearing, thus directing the sap to the part of the branches that bear.  It not only increases the quantity of the fruit, but it also increases the quality of the fruit.

 

b) In our humanity, we often have things in our lives that hinder spiritual fruit-bearing that must be removed.

 

C.  I want to look at two pairs of verses that will explain what purging is.  Here are two of the most quoted verses that explain our abiding and flourishing. 

 

1.  Purging has to do with removing weights (anything that hinders us from loving and serving the Lord) and besetting sins (sins that we constantly have to avoid that are particular to us individually).

 

Hebrews 12:1-2  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  (2)  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

2.  When we put those two verses to work in our lives, we can fulfill these two by presenting our bodies to Christ, a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service.

 

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

D.  Now, how does God purge His branches?  With the Word of God.  Dive into the Word of God, the Truth of God that makes us free.  Free from sin, discouragement, disappointment, doctrinal confusion, failure, and falling.

 

Ephesians 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

 

E.  Here we find the importance of God’s Word in our lives.

 

1.  Reading the Word of God.

 

2.  Studying the Word of God.

 

3.  Hearing the Word of God.

 

4.  Applying the Word of God.

 

F.  The Word of God is essential for the spiritual welfare of the believer.  We all tend to get “a little out of sorts” at times.  This is because, though saved, we are still human.  The problem is not the condition; the problem is to remain in that condition.

 

G. Physical growth is something God does, and we can help.  Spiritual growth is something we do, and God helps with!  Two of the things that will stunt both physical and spiritual growth:

 

1.  A lack of appetite. Healthy children and adults will have a healthy appetite. When a person becomes sick or old, they will often lose their appetite, and it is virtually impossible to get them to eat. They do not eat because they do not feel like eating. How often, at the end of a loved one's life, do people tell them they have to eat for strength, but they refuse food? Thus, the physical man and the spiritual man will lose strength.

 

2.  An appetite for the wrong things.  I love buying cakes at Walmart.  You know, the ones with an inch of icing and all the flowers and designs, all made of pure sugar.  I love ice cream, which I am sure is not the healthiest of foods.  Meat, bread, and vegetables build strong bones and muscles.  Cake and ice cream build big bellies and fat.  Physically and spiritually, we must eat a proper diet.

 

H.  Abiding in Christ finds the Word of God an imperative.  Therefore:

 

1. The Bible Teaches me.  The importance of the teaching of God’s Word.  Taught by the Spirit of God; taught by personal reading and study; taught by being faithful to the house of God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 

 

A believer will never spiritually grow as they should until they become learners. A person can go to college, spend a fortune, goof off and party, and never get an education.  One must apply themselves to learn properly.

 

Isaiah 54:13  And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

 

John 6:45  It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

 

2.  The Bible Enlightens me.  Help me to understand God’s Word.  Learning can be a set of facts memorized, but enlightenment gives the learner the wisdom and knowledge it takes to excel.  The Enlightener is the precious Holy Spirit

 

Proverbs 4:7  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

 

Psalms 36:9  For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

 

3.  The Bible Leads me.  To follow God’s lead, we need to learn to trust the Lord in His guidance.  “Make me go!”  Asking the Lord to remove all our ways and force us to do His will. 

 

Psalms 23:2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

 

Give me no options! Believers are free moral agents.  God has given to each of us the right of choice, but the serious child of God does not want to unknowingly make the wrong choice. 

 

I often ask God to close all other doors so that I have only the right door to choose.  I personally wanted out of the Bible Belt.  My desire was to go to New Hampshire and start a church but each night I would say, “Dear Lord, if New Hampshire is not your will for my life, close the door.”  He did and I am here!

 

James 1:22-25  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  (23)  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  (24)  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  (25)  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 

4.  The Bible Draws me.  Draw us near in heart through the Scriptures.  That we may spend quality time with the Lord.  Relationships are established with conversion.  You speak to God in prayer and allow God to speak to you through the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.  One of the greatest enemies of the believer in these days of plenty is the sin of covetousness.  Can’t help it and got to have it.  Through the lure of the world, so many believers have lost their excitement and desire for God’s Word. 

 

Romans 8:6-8  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  (7)  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  (8)  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

 

1 John 2:15-17  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  (16)  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  (17)  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

 

5.  The Bible Turns me.  One of the three areas of sin concerns the eyes.  Eve saw and took; Lot vexed his righteous soul by hearing and seeing.  In today’s society, we see more by accident than people in years gone by saw on purpose. 

 

Turn my eyes from: Things that are not good, things that are temporal instead of eternal, things that tear down instead of buildup, things that are ungodly or worthless.

 

We cannot help what we see but we need the help of the Lord to turn our eyes from the sinful sights.  Ask God for “spiritual blinders.”

 

Proverbs 4:25  Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

 

Genesis 3:6  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

 

2 Peter 2:8  (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

 

6.  The Bible Stabilizes me.  Establishment in the unshakable Word.  Help us to be stable-minded instead of double-minded.    The world and churches are full of unstable people.

 

One of the most important aspects of spiritual growth, stability, and having a firm foundation is found in the Word of God. 

 

James 1:8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

 

1 Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

 

John 8:31-32  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  (32)  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

7.  The Bible Encourages me.  In the Word, in the Lord, and in the church.  Every child of God needs encouragement.  This is why the Bible commands us to faithfully assemble.  Faithfulness and communion bring about encouragement. 

 

Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 

8.  The Bible Quickens me.  Biblical spiritual growth makes the child alive in righteousness. 

 

Psalms 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 

Biblical Leadership

 Temple Baptist Church - 2-11-2026

1 Corinthians 11:1-16

 

Introduction:

A.  Paul continued the context of chapter 10 in chapter 11.  This is a very important chapter, as every one of us must follow and set an example for those who follow us.  As kids, we would play “Follow the Leader.” 

 

1.  He began with his responsibility in spiritual leadership and the believer’s responsibility to follow such.  You will never be a good leader if you are not a good follower.   

 

2.  We must follow a good example before we become one.  Paul said that the Corinthian believers were to follow him as he also followed Christ.  This is not blind following.  If the blind follow the blind, they both end up in the ditch!

 

B.  God gave gifts to the church, the evangelist and pastor/teacher, who were to set proper examples of following Christ before the people.  The people were to follow these men of God AS they also follow Christ.  This poses a two-fold problem for the end-time local churches.

 

1.  People blindly follow pastors who teach and do unbiblical things.  This creates congregations that have no idea what the Bible teaches and are, therefore, doctrinally incorrect.

 

2.  Then there are those people who refuse to follow pastors who preach the Bible and live a consistent life for Christ.  Laodicea means “The rights of the people!”  We are certainly there!

 

C.  Paul now moves from the leadership of the church to leadership in the home in verse 3.  Why is the home important?  A couple of things need to be explained first. 

 

1.  This section of Scripture is not about superiority or inferiority, as both the man and the woman are irreplaceable in the structure of both the home and the local church. 

 

2.  It is about authority and submission, which bring glory to someone other than self.  Each individual mentioned in verse 3 has a position to be filled and someone else to be glorified. 

 

3.  This section is important because the home was the first corporate union that the Lord created.  One man, one woman, living in harmony with God, was God’s plan for us to follow.

 

4.  It is also important because everything rises or falls upon the condition of our homes.  As goes the home, so goes the local church; as goes the home, so goes the nation; as goes the home, so go the children. 

 

D.  Chapter 11 shows the proper structure of a godly home.  God the Father, God the Son, the husband, and the woman. Verse 3 spells this out clearly so that no one can misunderstand this pattern.

 

1 Corinthians 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

 

1.  The Head of everything is God the Father.  “the head of Christ is God!”  The Bible says that all that we do is to be for the glory of God. 

 

1 Corinthians 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 

John 8:29  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

 

John 17:1  These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

 

2.  The Head of the man is Christ.  “the head of every man is Christ” 

 

Ephesians 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Saviour of the body.

 

a.  We live in the days when men follow their wives instead of vice versa.  As many homes are out of order, so are many churches and denominations.

 

1 Timothy 3:1-2  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  (2)  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

 

1 Timothy 3:12  Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

 

b.  The husband is to be led by Christ so as to properly lead his wife.  In so many homes, the wife is more spiritual than the husband, leading them to think that if the man won’t do it, then I must step in and take his place. 

 

c.  The husband is not to be a dictator. 

 

Ephesians 5:22-25  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  (23)  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.  (24)  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.  (25)  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

 

Ephesians 5:33  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

 

1 Peter 3:6-7  Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.  (7)  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

 

3.  The Head of the woman is the Man.  “The head of the woman is the man.”  Let me say this as we begin this last section: ladies, you are blessed!  Your accountability to God is your home and children.  The husband’s accountability is much greater, as to whom much is given, much is required.

 

Genesis 3:16-17  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 

 

Ephesians 5:21-28  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.  (22)  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  (23)  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.  (24)  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 

 

a.  The submission of the wife is important because the woman is the glory of the man (verse 7).  Behind every good man, there is a good woman!  The woman is the husband’s “Crown of Glory!”

 

1 Corinthians 11:7  For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

 

b.  The submission of the wife is important because of why she was created and what she was created for.

 

1 Corinthians 11:8-10  For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.  (9)  Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.  (10)  For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

 

c.  The submission of the wife is important because of Eve’s deception. 

 

1 Corinthians 11: 10  For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

 

1)  It amazes me that most commentaries either do not understand this verse or ignore it because it is not popular.

 

2)  The woman was subject to angelic deception!  Eve set the standard in Genesis chapter 3.  The serpent was the angel Lucifer’s tool of deception.

 

a)  The Woman’s Creation. 1 Corinthians 11:8-9  For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.  (9)  Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 

 

b)  The Woman’s Glory.  1 Corinthians 11:7  For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

 

c)  The Woman’s Deception.  1 Corinthians 11:10  For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

 

2 Corinthians 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

 

Genesis 3:13  And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat

 

1 Timothy 2:11-15  Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  (12)  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  (13)  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  (14)  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  (15)  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing (Messianic Prophecy), if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

 

d.  The Woman’s Exception.  The husband is to love and rule his wife righteously.

 

Ephesians 5:25, 28  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  …  (28)  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

 

1)  The woman’s obligation is to live with him as long as you can while living for the Lord.

 

1 Corinthians 7:13-14  And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.  (14)  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 

 

1 Peter 3:1-2  Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;  (2)  While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 

 

2)  The woman’s release.  If the unbelieving husband leaves, let him depart.  The marriage vows no longer apply.

 

1 Corinthians 7:15  But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

 

4.  Ephesians 5-6 expands the order of the home to its children.  The Heads of the children are Dad and Mom!

 

Ephesians 6:1-3  Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.  (2)  Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)  (3)  That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

The Lord Our Sanctuary

 Temple Baptist Church - 2-8-2026

Psalms 91:1-16

 

Introduction:

A. One of the most notable and quotable Psalms is the 91st.  I remember, during the last days of Bro. Merrill Smith’s life, reading this Psalm to him over and over again.  He would close his eyes and listen as I read, and the peace of God was in his heart when I finished.  The wonder of this Psalm never grew old to him.

 

1.  As Psalm 90 was Adamic, a Psalm of death.  Adamic because, through him, all men die.

 

Romans 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

 

2.  Psalm is Messianic, a Psalm of life through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

3.  Psalm 91 was quoted on the Mount of Temptation by Satan as he tempted the Lord.

 

B. It is a Psalm that describes the life of the believer from the moment of salvation until he finally reaches home.  In these verses, we find:

 

1.  Jesus Christ Is The Place Of Our Dwelling – Verses 1-2.

 

2.  Jesus Christ Is The Person Of Our Distress – Verses 3-8.

 

3.  Jesus Christ Is The Promise Of Our Defense – Verses 9-10.

 

4.  Jesus Christ Is The Peace Of Our Deliverance – Verses 11-13.

 

5.  Jesus Christ Is The Pleasures Of Our Days – Verses 14-16.

 

C. The child of God is not exempt from all problems but is given the blessed assurance that God will be with us and for us through them all. 

 

1.  In verse 16, it says, “With long life will I satisfy him.” Long life is not necessarily satisfying in itself.  It finds its satisfaction through the Lord.

 

2.  Without the Lord, many people live long but regrettable lives. They either destroy their lives or end up in an old folks home or nursing home for years with little or no visits. I would rather go on to Heaven personally.

 

D. Here we find the promise of being satisfied with a long life!  Life is not made up of what you have here.  When I preached my Mother’s funeral, I used this verse.

 

Luke 12:15  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 

 

E. Life's satisfaction consists of who you are and what you are.  It consists of what you have done with and for Christ.  It consists of contentment with what you have, not with what you do not have.

 

1.  You cannot find your satisfaction in the things of the world because they are subject to change.

 

2.  You cannot find your satisfaction in money because it can take wings and fly.

 

3.  You cannot find your satisfaction in people alone because they can turn on you.

 

F.  You can be saved and know it, yet still be dissatisfied and remorseful when you come to old age.  God wants us to prosper.

 

3 John 2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 

 

G.  Here are a few things that we need to find our satisfaction in.

 

1.  Verses 1-2.  We Can Find Satisfaction In Our Conversion – Our Dwelling

 

Psalms 91:1-2  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  (2)  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

 

a.  Contentment In His Salvation - Psalms 90:14  O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.  (Where would I be without Christ?)

 

b.  Contentment In His Sanctuary - Psalms 36:8  They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

 

Psalms 65:4  Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.  (Where would I be without the Church?)

 

2.  Verses 3-8.  We Can Find Satisfaction In Our Circumstances – Our Dilemmas

 

Psalms 91:3-8  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.  (4)  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.  (5)  Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;  (6)  Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.  (7)  A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.  (8)  Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

 

a.  Contentment With His Goodness In Problems - Psalms 37:19  They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.  (I am not always spiritual enough to like problems but His hand still satisfies in them.)

 

b.  Contentment With His Guidance In Problems - Isaiah 58:11  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.  (When I do not know what to do I just learn to “let her drive” and God controls through His sovereign providence and protection.)

 

3.  Verses 9-14.  We Can Find Satisfaction In Our Contentment – Our Desires

 

Psalms 91:9-14  Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;  (10)  There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.  (11)  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.  (12)  They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.  (13)  Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.  (14)  Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

 

a.  Contentment With His Provisions - Psalms 132:15  I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.  (I have enough!)

 

Proverbs 12:11  He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. 

 

Proverbs 12:14  A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

 

Jeremiah 31:14  And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD. 

1 Timothy 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain. 

 

b.  Contentment With His Protection, Promises, and Person - Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

 

Philippians 4:11  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  (I am His and I am in His hand!)

 

4.  Verses 15-16.  We Can Find Satisfaction In Our Commitment – Our Dependence

 

Psalms 91:15-16  He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.  (16)  With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

 

a.  Content With My Preservation - 2 Timothy 1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.  (I have eternal, everlasting, forever and ever life!!!  Eternally secure and safe!)

 

b.  Content With My Prospect - Psalms 17:15  As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. 

 .

1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (One day soon, it will be over.  I will be in Heaven with Him.  I will have a new body.  I will have a new home.  I will have all that He has.  I know that I shall be eternally satisfied!)