Who knew that Psalm 91:1 is all about us being IN authority (seated IN Christ in heavenly places) and UNDER authority (sheltered beneath His wings)???!!! I totally never saw this before, but it is being both in and under authority, like the Roman centurion, that provides all the benefits of provision and protection we see in Psalm 91. And yes, it’s all there in the original Hebrew. Verse 1 could be translated “you who sits enthroned under His shadow.” The Hebrew word there is yashab, and usually refers to one seated as royalty!
This is where we are on the map – maturing sons who are learning how to stand in our God-given authority, always in full submission to Him. It is THIS position that allows us to trample beneath our feet the demonic false trinity (lion, serpent, dragon) in verse 13.
Check out my twist on this passage we’ve probably all heard thousands of times. I’m blown away that we haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of its meaning!
“When you sit enthroned as royalty ‘in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6) while dwelling under the shadow and authority of Shaddai (God of the Mountain, God the Destroyer of Enemies, God the Self-Sufficient One, God the Nurturer of Babies, God the Almighty), you remain hidden in His strength. Being both ‘under authority and in authority’ (Matthew 8:9-10) provides this place of safety.
With God as my refuge and fortress, I will walk in faith, boldness and confidence. He will rescue you from every way the enemy tries to deceive you into coming into agreement with him so he can have power over you (2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11). He will protect you from poisoned arrows – those attacks aimed at causing you to be wounded and bitter. He will shield you from the effects of word curses, the power of slander and from physical infirmity. God will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will feel completely safe and secure. The only way the enemy can defeat you is to get you to believe his lies, so in this place of closeness and intimacy with God, He will reveal Truth to you. His Truth and faithfulness will shield you (Ephesians 6:14).
In this place of safety, you do not need to worry about evil attacking you at night or arrows wounding you during the day. You do not need to fear demonic assignments of disease. God will not allow the destroyer (Revelation 9:11) to devour you or to bring devastation during your time of blessing. Even during times when innumerable people are perishing around you, you will remain unharmed. You will see judgment released upon those who have chosen to partake in injustice and oppression.
Dwelling continually IN Yahweh prevents evil from wounding you and prevents disease from even approaching your home, because God gives His angels orders to watch over you and to protect you in all your ways. They will lift you to a higher place, so you do not stumble over low-level earth things.
Instead of being defeated by demonic forces, you will walk in your God-given authority over them, literally stepping upon the heads of the demonic false trinity: the lion, the serpent and the dragon (Genesis 3: 1; Mark 16:18; I Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:7-9)!
Yahweh said to me, ‘Because you have made me the object of your passion, I will deliver you from everything that would harm you. I have exalted you, seating you IN Me in heavenly places, “far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come” (Ephesians 1: 21-22). I am able to do this because you know Me, My reputation, My fame and My glory. When you inquire of Me, asking for help with anything, I will respond to you. You will know My reality and My presence, even in difficult times. I will rescue you and will release My justice on your behalf, honoring and promoting you. You will be fully satisfied with the LIFE that flows to you from Me. My deliverance, salvation, prosperity and victory will be plainly visible in your life, as you enjoy Me.’”
-Virginia Killingsworth