This passage begins with the conditional statement, "Because he loves Me," says the LORD, ...", and concludes with eight things God promises He will do. I don't know how much reward or satisfaction you have received from someone or something you loved, but I do know that no relationship will ever be as rewarding or satisfying as your relationship with Jesus Christ! In comparison, winning a multimillion dollar lottery would be like losing all your possessions!

To the one who desires God above everything and everyone else, He promises ...

1. "I Will Rescue Him"

Perhaps you were like me on that 11th of September, watching in stunned silence as the World Trade Center Towers collapsed into piles of dust and rubble ... the hearing the incredible stories of rescue and sacrifice. Most of us will probably never personally experience that kind of physical danger, or be in need of the heroic rescues we witnessed on that Day of terror.

But though we are aware of it or not, we all face a greater peril than any terrorists can devise. It is the nightmare of the ultimate fate of all who reject God's offer of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. Described as "everlasting destruction", the punishment of the unbeliever is beyond the worst scenario we can imagine. As unimaginably beautiful Heaven is stated to be, Hell is the exact opposite. And it is from this inferno that God promises to "rescue" us who love Him!

2. "I Will Protect Him"

This second promised action of God is actually a further explanation of the first. The word "protect" means to be "inaccessibly high". God will "rescue" us by placing us high above the danger where no harm can reach us! That place of course is in Christ in Heaven!

Did you notice that God inserted a second reason for His actions? It is because the one who loves Him also "acknowledges" His Name. The word "acknowledges" means to "discern". It goes beyond simply knowing God's Name, but perceiving Its significance, and hence the nature and character of God Himself! The one who truly knows God will be transported to a place of protection where no evil can reach him!

3. "I Will Answer Him"

The incredible thing about the One True God is that He answers us when we call out to Him! We don't worship a cold inert image of a god, but the Creator God Himself ... Who hears and answers our cry!

4. "I Will Be With Him in Trouble"

"A friend in need is a friend indeed!" God is that kind of friend. He stands with us in our times of need ... in our times of distress. He will not abandon nor forsake us when we need Him most! That is the kind of God who stands with us!

5. "I Will Deliver Him"

This promised action is synonumous with the first one, though written in a more intense form. God will not only "deliver" us, but deliver us for sure!

6. "I Will Honour Him"

The Hebrew word translated "honour" is akin to a little used english word that became over-used by the media when then Presidential candidate George W. Bush chose Dick Cheney to be his Vice President. The reason given for this choice, the media repeatedly reported, was to bring "gravitas", or weight to the supposedly light weight candidacy of Bush.

God brings "gravitas" to the lives of those who love Him. You may feel like a feather weight, but when you attach yourself to God, suddenly you're the heavyweight champion of the Universe! His presence makes all the difference!

7. "With Long Life Will I Satisfy Him"

The emphasis here is on what causes us to be satisfied, that being God giving to us length of days. For many, living a long life is a goal worth living or exercising for. For them, becoming a centenarian would be very satisfying. Personally, I don't share that view. The sooner I get to Heaven, the more satisfied I'll be. However, as long as God wants me to serve Him here on earth, I am willing, but I can't wait to move into my room in His House!

8. "(I Will) Show Him My Salvation"

Who can forget the scene in the "Ten Commandments" when Charleton Heston as Moses stands before the Israelites with his staff upraised when they find themselves trapped between the charging Egyptian chariots and the raging Red Sea ... and hear him proclaim, "Stand still and behold the salvation of the Lord!" He was speaking of course about the imminent parting of the Sea through which the masses of Israelites would then be delivered. The Hebrew word for "salvation" used in that passage of Scripture is the same as the one used here.

The Psalmist speaks of both a present salvation that God effects for us in times of danger, as well as the eternal deliverance from the impending judgement that is about to come upon all who will not turn to Him to save them. If you believe Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose from the grave alive, you can have the full assurance that God will show you His salvation! Praise God ... and Thank God!

Think!

In light of the conditions and promises of God examined in Psalm 91:14-16 above, I will: