A Presence to Enjoy
Let's close our look at Psalm 91 this week with the final verse, where God says of the one who loves Him "With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation." (Psalm 91:16 NIV11)
I remind you, firstly, of what we said yesterday. That these promises are for those who don't just believe God, but who love Him. Let me quote John Piper from his book What is Saving Faith, again: "Saving faith always views Christ as having supreme value. That is how he is received. To embrace Christ as a second- or third-tier treasure is not saving faith. It is an affront."
Loving God Is the Key to His Promise
God says in this Psalm that He will show salvation to the one who loves Him. Piper here is claiming that if you are looking to embrace God not as your highest love or as your supreme value, then you've missed salvation!
But if you treasure Christ above all, and you have put your faith in Him as your Saviour and your treasure, then you are granted not only salvation from sin and its guilt and punishment, but you're also granted long life that satisfies, God says here.
Recently I had the privilege of conducting a funeral for a special lady who died at 100 years old. She was a true character and much loved in our community. Her family was telling me that at her 90th birthday, they were telling her that they were looking forward to her 100th birthday, and she said "don't you wish that on me! I don't want to be around til 100!" She didn't think that another 10 years would satisfy her in any way! Well, she did make 100, and it was very special when she did, and she was full of joy even to the end.
What Eternal Life Actually Means
But I don't think God is saying in this Psalm that if you trust in Him, you'll live to 100. I think He is talking about eternal life. Long life after death, for those who believe, for those who have received salvation.
Some people don't like the thought of heaven because they think it will be a never-ending church service. I have to say, as much as I love church, I also begin to get antsy when the service goes on very long! So a perpetual church service in the sky does sound like a bit of a chore.
Others say that heaven will be just what you enjoy. If you like golf, heaven is a golf course. If you like music, heaven is a concert of your favourite style.
But I think when we talk like this, we are trying to put earthly images into a heavenly reality, and that's foolish. Eternal life is not an extension of this life forever. It is a different reality completely! The main thing is that we will be in the real, full, unfiltered presence of the holy God! That will be overwhelming in a way we cannot fathom with our earthly minds and bodies.
If you believe and love the Lord, then this Psalm ends with a beautiful promise: you will be in the presence of God for everlasting life one day.
That's a beautiful hope to have!
So stick close to your God, in His shadow, today. Enjoy His presence by faith now. Look forward to the day when, as the old hymn says, your faith shall be sight.
Psalm 91 closes with the promise of eternal life and the everlasting presence of God for those who love Him. Fix your hope today on the promise of God's presence forever, and let that hope carry you through today's struggles.