Psalm 91: The Dweller

Copyright © 2018 Areon Potter.

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Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-9736-2520-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-2521-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-2519-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018904175

WestBow Press rev. date: 5/16/2018

Contents

About the Author

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Psalm 91:1: Dwelling in the Shelter of the Most High (Part 1)

Psalm 91:1: Abiding in the Shadow of the Almighty (Part 2)

Psalm 91:2: Psalm 91:2: The Declaration

Psalm 91:3: It Is He Who Delivers You

Psalm 91:4: He Will Cover You

Psalm 91:5: You Will Not Be Afraid

Psalm 91:6: You Will Not Be Afraid (Part 2)

Psalm 91:7: A Thousand May Fall

Psalm 91:8: The Reward of the Wicked

Psalm 91:9: The Commitment

Psalm 91:10: No Evil Will Befall You

Psalm 91:11: The Angels’ Commission

Psalm 91:12: They Will Bear You Up

Psalm 91:13: You Will Tread Upon

Psalm 91:14: Because He Has Loved Me

Psalm 91:15: He Will Call Upon Me

Psalm 91:16: A Long Satisfying Life

Psalm 91: Summary

Prayer

Bibliography

Endnotes

Endorsements

Understanding who God is, and who we are in relationship to Him, is foundational to spiritual, mental, and emotional health. As a counselor, I have witnessed the profound changes that occur as a result of this understanding. In Psalm 91—The Dweller, Areon Potter has given a gift to believers. To the new believer, an opportunity for discovery, and to the one who has walked with God, a challenging reminder of our position in the One who is our dwelling place.

—Kathy Back, MALPC

Salem, Oregon

Areon Potter is an excellent author. After reading his first book, From Darkness to Light, I couldn’t wait to read Psalm 91—The Dweller. The style Areon uses to explain dwelling makes it easy to incorporate this practice into one’s life. I have found a comfort and peace as I seek that shelter that only comes from the Most High God. Thank you for another wonderful lesson in how to live a life of victory through the Lord Jesus Christ!

—Mary Mellecker, Homemaker

Phoenix, Arizona

Psalm 91 has brought a sense of comfort and peace through many difficult circumstances of my life and therefore intrigued me to read Psalm 91—The Dweller. In doing so, I found myself wrapped in a blanket of truth as the Lord revealed His message of what it means to dwell within His shelter, His secret place of safety—the very place I had rested many times but never understood! The author of Psalm 91—The Dweller, Areon Potter, has once again brought God’s truth alive with his passion to teach the living Word of God. In responding to God’s call upon him to deliver the message of dwelling, I have not only become equipped with the knowledge of what it means to dwell but have also chosen to incorporate dwelling as a way life—and there’s no place I’d rather be!

—C. J.

Psalm 91—The Dweller is a must read for today’s believer. It is obvious that Areon has heard from God and points the way in helping us understand the provision of God’s shelter in our daily lives and in the midst of our darkest hours. He offers wise and applicable insight to go beyond our present state of spiritual understanding into a deeper, personal, and intimate knowledge of a loving, merciful, and just God. His verse-by-verse interpretation of Psalm 91 is timeless and intuitive while also incredibly practical for walking under God’s protection in our present day world. His connections between the condition of our hearts, our personal choices, and spiritual warfare leave the reader with a sense of authority and confidence in making it personally applicable. For those who need encouragement in the midst of darkness, feel afraid, feel under constant attack, or simply need realistic insight concerning the how to of living life in freedom, peace, and the fullness of power in the Holy Spirit, then we need look no further. We will find each in Psalm 91—The Dweller.

—Brenda Kaker, Founding CEO, Everylife Inc.

Lakewood, Colorado

I have had the privilege of knowing and ministering with Areon Potter for fifteen years. I have learned things I never knew and seen things I had never imagined through the ministry of Adonai Resources. When Areon speaks, I have learned to listen. He has taken a microscopic look at Psalm 91 and closely studied its intimate details. Psalm 91—The Dweller has created a hunger in me to find that secret place of the Most High—where demons have no access and where I can abide in the shadow of the Almighty and experience God in His fullest.

—Pastor Joe D. Jody Mayes

Austin, Texas

Psalm 91

91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

91:2 I will say to the LORD, My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!

91:3 For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper, And from the deadly pestilence.

91:4 He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

91:5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day;

91:6 Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.

91:7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand, But it shall not approach you.

91:8 You will only look on with your eyes, And see the recompense of the wicked.

91:9 For you have made the LORD, my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place.

91:10 No evil will befall you, Nor will any plague come near your tent.

91:11 For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways.

91:12 They will bear you up in their hands, Lest you strike your foot against a stone.

91:13 You will tread upon the lion and cobra, The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.

91:14 "Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.

91:15 He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him, and honor him.

91:16 With a long life I will satisfy him, And let him see My salvation." (Psalm 91:1–16)

To those who have stood fast in the face of adversity and boldly proclaimed their trust in God regardless of prevailing circumstances.

To those who would make the choice to dwell in the shelter of the Most High and abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

May God give you wisdom, knowledge, and understanding on your journey.

About the Author

Areon Potter was raised in Dorris, California, a small town nestled a few miles from the southern Oregon border. After receiving a call from Uncle Sam and serving four years in the US Air Force, Areon received a bachelor of arts degree from Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho. While there, he met and later married his wife, Carol. The couple moved to Nevada, where he worked with delinquent youth as a supervisor/teacher for nearly nine years. While working in Nevada, Areon sensed a call to enter into the realm of Christian counseling, and he accepted an internship with Grace Fellowship International in Denver, Colorado, in the spring of 1980. Upon completion of the internship, the organization offered Areon a counseling position. He accepted the invitation, and the family officially moved to Denver, where they settled down to raise their two sons. While in Denver, God began teaching Areon how the flesh and our spiritual enemies work in the lives of believers.

In 1985, Areon and Carol founded Adonai Resources, a counseling ministry that teaches Christians to deal with the flesh and with the oppressive assaults of the enemy. In 1992, Areon sensed God directing him to author his first book, From Darkness to Light, which addresses the issue of demonic oppression and the Christian.

Foreword

Areon Potter’s study on Psalm 91 could not have been written at a more appropriate time in our history. Taking so much for granted has created much uncertainty in our lives. Our jobs, our finances, and our retirement plans are being stripped away; our secure world is being shaken. Where does one go for stability in this unstable world? Down through the ages, people have turned to Psalm 91 for comfort and strength. This psalm is loaded with spiritual insight and makes reference to dwelling, abiding, and the need to enter into the secret place of the Most High. What does it mean to be a dweller? Many questions will be answered in this tremendous book.

• What is the secret place?

• Where is the secret place?

• How do I enter the secret place?

• What will I find in the secret place?

When all your security is threatened, Psalm 91 is the shelter you need. Psalm 91—The Dweller explains how you can become a dweller as you traverse the storms of life. May the Lord unlock the wonderful truths of the psalmist’s timely words as you begin your journey through Psalm 91—The Dweller. May you truly learn to dwell in the shelter of the Most High and abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

—Dr. Jim Logan Biblical Restoration Ministries

Sioux City, Iowa

Psalm 91—The Dweller Study Guide

is available from the author.

Great for individual or group study.

152 coil-bound pages

8.5 in. x 11 in.

$17.95

Other books written by Areon Potter include

From Darkness to Light and

From Darkness to Light Study Guide.

Great for individual or group study.

168 coil-bound pages

8.5 in. x 11 in.

$17.95

Areon Potter

[email protected]

www.adonairesources.org

Acknowledgments

I first became aware of Psalm 91 when my wife and I were invited to attend a seminar on spiritual warfare. The speaker briefly referenced the four names of God found in the first two verses of the ninety-first psalm. As I began investigating the psalm more thoroughly on my own, I started to share what I was learning with a small church group. We learned many significant truths as we studied through Psalm 91. I am grateful for their input, patience, and kind words as we worked our way through the psalm’s text. The group’s encouragement prompted me to put into writing what I learned.

I thank Les and Kathy Back, Linda Knight, and my wife, Carol, for taking time to read, critique, and offer suggestions for the manuscript.

I am also deeply appreciative to those who have partnered and supported the ministry of Adonai Resources both prayerfully and financially over the years. Your prayers and financial contributions have enabled us to continue our involvement in the work God has called us to do.

With deep gratitude,

Areon Potter

Introduction

This study began when I initially realized the first two verses of Psalm 91 contained four different names for God. As I began looking deeper into the meaning of the psalm, I developed a new appreciation for the significance of what the psalmist had recorded. Although it is Old Testament, the ninety-first psalm gives a clear picture of the life of a New Testament Christian who wants to follow God to the fullest extent possible.

The psalm contains only sixteen verses but shows an important progression in the life of the person who wishes to dwell in the shelter of the Most High and abide in the shadow of the Almighty. It is not a leisurely walk down a serene path. Rather it is an expedition that requires commitment, faith, and perseverance. Although the journey does not begin automatically, all believers would benefit from such a pilgrimage. Conversely, not all believers will desire or consciously choose to begin such a journey.

Scripture informs us that during our earthly conflict, we wage war against three enemies—the world, the flesh, and the devil. Although the verses in Psalm 91 can be effectively applied to all three enemies, the psalm more clearly illustrates the dweller’s encounter and assured victory over spiritual enemies. These adversaries employ both the world and the flesh in their diverse attacks upon the followers of Christ.

The entire ninety-first psalm hinges upon the announcement of the first verse. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. The psalmist states that it is he who dwells that will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. In other words, if one desires to abide in the shadow of the Almighty, he must first learn to dwell in the shelter of the Most High. If the dwelling does not take place, neither shall the abiding. According to verse 1, dwelling is prerequisite to abiding.

After making his own qualifying declaration as a dweller in the second verse, the psalmist speaks to another person in the third verse. "For it is He who delivers you." He then proceeds through verse 8 to present the process by which a person can enter into a lifelong experience of dwelling in the shelter of the Most High and abiding in the shadow of the Almighty.

A transition takes place in verse 9. The tenor of the psalm takes a significant turn as the psalmist’s student appropriates dwelling as a way of life. In verses 10 through 13, the psalmist proceeds to delineate the awesome rewards of a life of dwelling in the shelter of the Most High while abiding in the shadow of the Almighty. In the last three verses of the psalm, the psalmist records four magnificent, God-given promises to the dweller. These verses clearly show that God is well-pleased with him and enables him to abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91—The Dweller is a study of the ninety-first psalm, and its purpose is to enlighten the reader to the truths that are hidden below the surface. It is apparent by the end of the psalm that God is delighted with the growth in the life of the dweller and the outcome of the journey he has traversed. As a result, the Most High, the Almighty, the righteous judge, the Creator makes some rather astounding, life-impacting promises on his behalf. In order to be able to understand spiritual issues, our heart and our understanding must be right. Spiritual understanding enables Christians to perceive truth as the Holy Spirit reveals it. May God’s Spirit give you understanding as you ponder the meaning of the psalmist’s words and consider the journey before us.

My prayer for you, the reader, is …

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. (Ephesians 1:17–19a)

Notes

Psalm 91:1

Dwelling in the Shelter of the Most High

Part 1

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

There are promises that are unconditional, and there are those that are conditional. Unconditional promises are given with no strings attached. For example, if a father announces to his family that they will be going to Hawaii for vacation on the fourth of June, the family has received an unconditional promise, and they can begin making plans.

We are all aware, however, that many promises have specific conditions attached. For example, a mother may promise her four-year-old son an ice cream cone after he picks up his toys. A football coach may tell one of his second-string players that if he excels in practice, he will make the team. An employer may promise an employee a generous bonus in his or her next paycheck if a certain quota is met. When the conditions are met, the conscientious person can expect to receive what was promised—whether the reward is an ice cream cone, making the team, or getting a bonus once an established quota has been met.

The first verse of Psalm 91 incorporates two elements—a condition and a promise. The condition is first stated, He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High… The promise follows, [he] will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Although the promise is available to all believers, it is not an automatic provision that is granted at the moment of salvation. It is our right, privilege, and honor as Christians to dwell in the shelter of the Most High. However, demonic forces know we cannot listen to them and dwell in the shelter of the Most High simultaneously.¹ Consequently, the forces of darkness want us to dwell on their lies, thoughts, and feelings. When people make the choice to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, the kingdom of darkness suffers a major loss, and it loses one of its own to the One they hate. Although God has a plan for the people who bear His image, the usurper also has a plan that is much different and destructive. Thus, it is important for the would-be dweller to learn to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

He Who Dwells

Speaking of the incarnation of Jesus, the book of John introduces a remarkable statement in the first chapter.

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

The word dwelt in the previously outlined verse is defined as to pitch a tent, to tabernacle.² Although Jesus was born a Savior, He pitched His tent and dwelt among us for thirty-three years before He saw the completion of His God-given mission on the earth.

The word rendered dwells in Psalm 91:1 means to dwell, sit, abide, inhabit, remain.³ Dwells is a verb and shows action. It is something we do. We dwell. We can manage our lives from our souls or from our spirits. If the world, the flesh, or the kingdom of darkness can somehow influence us to operate (or dwell) from our souls, our enemies regain much lost ground. Hence, the battle. If we operate according to the dictates of the Holy Spirit, who lives in our spirits,⁴ the enemies’ assaults on our lives will be effectively countered and squelched. In league with the world and the flesh, demons will do whatever they can to prevent believers from dwelling, sitting, abiding, inhabiting, or remaining in the shelter of the Most High. Thus, they are able to prevent us from abiding in the shadow of the Almighty.

He Who Dwells in the Shelter

To dwell in the shelter of implies that there is a qualified need or purpose for some type of protection and that it must be available. To some degree, that means there must be the probability of a