Heart Songs: Week Four | Safe and Sound (Psalm 91)Sample

He Is My Savior

One Sunday in Copenhagen, Corrie ten Boom spoke at a service and urged her audience to present their bodies to Christ as living sacrifices. Afterward, two young nurses invited her to their apartment for lunch. On the way, Corrie learned they lived on the tenth floor with no elevator. She was eighty years old.

Corrie didn't think she could climb the stairs, but she decided to try. On the fifth floor, her heart pounded, her breath gasped, and her legs buckled. Thinking she could go no further, she collapsed in a chair on the landing. The stairs seemed to go up into infinity. She continued climbing with one nurse in front and the other behind. When she reached the apartment, Corrie met the parents of one of the girls. Neither parent was a Christian, but both were eager to hear the gospel. Corrie carefully explained the plan of salvation. "I have traveled in more than sixty countries and have never found anyone who said they were sorry they had given their hearts to Jesus," she said. That day both prayed for Christ to enter their lives.

As she walked down the steps, Corrie prayed, "Thank you, Lord, for making me walk up all these steps. And next time, Lord, I'm willing to go anywhere you tell me to go—even up ten flights of stairs" (adapted from Robert J. Morgan, Nelson's Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations & Quotes [Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000]). The verses in today's psalm affirm our salvation in the Lord, but also encourage us to show others our salvation. Are you prepared to tell others the good news about Jesus and declare He is my Savior?

Read the verses below and answer the following questions:

"'Because he loves me,' says the LORD, 'I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call on me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble,

I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him

and show him my salvation'" (Psalm 91:14-16).

Practical Observation

1. In these verses, the psalmist promises to do some things, and God promises to do some specific things in response. What are we to do? What will God do in response?

2. Why do you think God places special emphasis on knowing His name?

His Name: The Hebrew word for name, shem, implies honor, character, and authority. Those who know God's name have experienced Him personally and are set on high, meaning they are inaccessible, safe, and strong. "Those who know Your name will put their trust in You" (Psalm 9:10).

3. What does God promise to do when we call upon Him? What other ways does God bless those who love Him?

His Blessing: Jews viewed long life as God's blessing on the God-fearing (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [Zondervan, 2001], PC Study Bible). Though some lives are seemingly cut short, those who cling to God are promised fulfilling lives and eternal life. "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever" (Psalm 23:6).

Personal Application

a. Psalm 91 emphasizes the importance of knowing God's name. Those who know God's name have personal experience and intimate knowledge of His character. Considering this description, do you know Him? If you answered no or you are unsure but you want to know Him, say a prayer expressing your desire. If you answered yes, thank God for the privilege of knowing His name. "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe" (Proverbs 18:10).

b. God promises to satisfy—to completely fill—those who call upon Him. How has God filled your cup to overflowing since the day you first called upon the name of Jesus for salvation?

Have you ever bragged about knowing someone important? The great I Am wants you to know His name! He invites you to call upon Him, "for 'whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved'" (Romans 10:13). As we get to know and understand our Savior, we realize that we couldn't be more safe and sound.