WEEK 27, DAY 2; TODAY’S READING: PSALMS 90–99

July 2, 2019 by ·

OVERVIEW:

God’s eternality and man’s transitoriness; the security of the one who trusts in the Lord; praise for God’s goodness; the majesty of the Lord; the vengeance of the Lord; a call to sing, worship, and praise the Lord; the Lord’s power and dominion; praise for the Lord’s righteousness; the exaltation of the Lord as our holy King.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Psalm 90 is unique for several reasons: First, it’s unique because it was the first psalm ever written, obviously then, also making it the oldest psalm! Secondly, it’s unique because of its unsuspecting author: it was written by Moses! (Note that the very next psalm, Psalm 91, was also written by Moses.) Be sure to notice the prophetic application of Psalm 90:4: “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.” In the Old Testament, there were three watches to a Jewish night. (Judges 7:19) In the New Testament, there are four watches of the night. (Mark 6:48) Note that Christ was born (i.e. His first coming) in the “first watch of the night,” and He will return (i.e. His second coming) in the “fourth watch of the night” (Matthew 14:25) which is the “morning watch” (Mark 13:35), and hence the title, “the Day of the Lord”, when the “SUN (!!!) of Righteousness will arise…” (Malachi 4:1–2)

Note also in Psalm 90:10 that the normal lifespan for a typical man until the Second Coming of Christ is 70 years (i.e. average age at death). The Lord will “take that up a few notches” for those born during the Millennium (Isaiah 65:20), as men will live to be several hundred years of age, just as they did in some Old Testament times. (Genesis 5)

In terms of “numbering our days” (90:12), the point is, “redeem the time” (Colossians 4:5; Ephesians 5:16), or make the absolute most of each day! Consider, if we were to take “numbering our days” literally:

  • If you are age 20, you have 18,250 days to live.
  • If you are age 25, you have 16,425 days to live.
  • If you are age 30, you have 14,600 days to live.
  • If you are age 35, you have 12,775 days to live.
  • If you are age 40, you have 10,950 days to live.
  • If you are age 45, you have 9,125 days to live.
  • If you are age 50, you have 7,300 days to live.
  • If you are age 55, you have 5,475 days to live.
  • If you are age 60, you have 3,650 days to live.
  • If you are age 65, you have 1,825 days to live.
  • If you are age 70, you are now on “borrowed” time!

But also keep Proverbs 27:1 in mind! “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Remember, none of us are guaranteed 70 years, that’s just the average lifespan! We must approach each day as if it will be our very last. Remember, also, what time it is on God’s clock! We are the generation whose days will, no doubt, be shortened by the rapture, so once again, it just emphasizes the main point of Psalm 90:12: Live each day as if it were your last because it just might be!

Psalm 91 is another favorite however, without understanding the doctrinal/prophetic application of Scripture, you can get more than just a little messed up by claiming promises that are not intended for you, or promises that are not intended for you in THIS life. Though most Bible scholars are unable to identify the prophetic application of this Psalm as it applies to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; Satan understood it very well! Satan makes this identification in Matthew 4:6 (91:12), and the Holy Spirit records it to reveal (1st Corinthians 2:10, 13) the real meaning of Psalm 91. (Note also that there is a double prophetic application in Psalm 91 in that the verses also apply to the remnant of Jewish saints in the Great Tribulation. (91:3, 5-6, 10) Any way you slice it, God’s people in the Church Age are not promised protection from “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.” (91:5–6) There are a minimum of 50 million people in the Church Age who sought with everything within them to “dwell in the secret place of the Most High,” who were shot through with arrows; sewn in the skins of animals and thrown to wild beasts; and placed on the rack to have every joint, every ligament, every tendon, and every muscle totally ripped to shreds! They were burned at the stake; crucified; boiled in oil; or had done to them anything and everything the devil could imagine and could prompt people to mete out on God’s precious saints. That’s not to mention a minimum of another 50 million saints who have been struck down in wars, or by some sickness or disease (pestilence). (91:5–6)

There is, however, an incredible devotional/inspirational application of this Psalm for those of us living in the Church Age:

  1. There is a “secret place” (91:1) of intimacy with Christ that we can experience in our relationship with Him that others don’t experience. (Isaiah 57:15; 4:6; 32:2; Song of Solomon 2:3, 6)

 

  1. Our eyes will one day “behold and see the reward of the wicked” (91:8), as we (Church Age saints) will be the ones who make up the “armies” that follows the Lord out of heaven at His Second Coming when He returns to the earth to unleash His judgment. (Revelation 19:11–16; Isaiah 63:1–4)

 

  1. Once we have been raptured and have entered into our physical “secret place” (91:1; John 14:3), then “no evil shall ever befall [us]” (Psalm 91:10a), “neither shall any plague come nigh [our] dwelling.” (91:10b)

 

  1. We will be “delivered” at the rapture, at which time He will “set [us] on high.” (91:14)

 

  1. The Lord has not promised us, as Church Age saints, the ABSENCE of trouble in this life, but He has promised His PRESENCE “with us” through it! (91:15; Hebrews 13:5; 2nd Corinthians 12:9)

 

  1. The Lord has and will, both “deliver” and “honor” us. (Psalm 91:15; John 5:44; 12:26)

 

  1. We will be “satisfied” with “long life” beyond our wildest dreams! Jesus called it “eternal life” and I think you’d agree, that’s a long, long time!

Many other incredible prophetic and devotional truths unfold in the remainder of the psalms in today’s reading (92– 99) that hopefully, you are now beginning to see how to identify and apply for yourself. Enjoy!

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

  • As the GOD WHO COVERS WITH HIS FEATHERS — Psalm 91:4 (Matthew 23:37)

 

  • As the ROCK OF OUR SALVATION – Psalm 95:1 (1st Corinthians 10:4)

 

  • As the LORD WHO JUDGES THE EARTH IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUTH — Psalm 96:13 (Revelation 16:5–7)

 

  • As the LORD WHO RETURNS IN FLAMING FIRE — Psalm 97:4 (2nd Thessalonians 1:7–9)
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