7 Blessings of Crisis From Psalm 91

10/14/2022

Psalms 91 & 92 are well documented in my #Bible. I've been there many times and camped there on occasion. The margins are full of notes. There are many spaces in these 2 powerful chapters that are heavily highlighted. There's some underlining, circling, and lots of notes! In the margin beside #Psalm 91 I've written “7 Blessings of Crisis.” Not sure where it came from, maybe a sermon, but it’s good and I want to share it with you today so when you're in a #crisis you can see the #blessings too!

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

I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” Ps. 91:1-2

Psalms 91 and 92 are well documented in my Bible. I have been there many times. I have camped there on occasion. The margins are full of notes. There are several spaces within these two, powerful chapters that are heavily highlighted. There's some underlining, some circling, and lots of notes! In the margin, beside Psalm 91, I have written “7 Blessings of Crisis.” I’m not sure where this came from, a sermon most likely, but it’s good and I want to share it with you today so that when you're in a crisis, you can see the blessings too!

7 Blessings of Crisis:

Crisis exposes our weaknesses. Yes, it does!
Crisis wakes us up and gets our attention.
Crisis tightens our grip on things that matter and loosens it on things that don’t.
Crisis strengthens our trust in God.
Crisis teaches us how to pray more often and more effectively.
Crisis rekindles our service to others.
Crisis opens the doors to the Gospel.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High [EL ELYON] will abide in the shadow of the Almighty [EL SHADDAI]. I will say to the Lord [JEHOVAH ADONAI], ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God [ELOHIM], in whom I trust.’” Psalm 91:1-2

I love that in these first two verses of Psalm 91 we see four different names of God. It is unusual to see that many names of God used in just two verses. I am not aware of anywhere else in the Bible where this happens. Because of this, these verses have become very special to me.

Two words that stand out to me in those verses are refuge and fortress. The words refuge and fortress invoke in me a sense of the unequaled trust and security I find in God.

I also love the words dwell and abide. Dwell and abide are the two things we need to do to be able to call God our refuge and fortress.

Where are you dwelling today?
Where are you abiding today?

I hope it’s close to the heart of God and in His Word.

If you would like to spend more time in Psalm 91, I highly recommend the book my friend Susan Shipe has written called “31 Days of Praying Psalm 91.” If you're in crisis mode, praying through Psalm 91 may be just what you need!

Have you seen any of the blessings of crisis in your own life experiences?

4 Comments

Susan Shipe link

10/19/2022 09:21:58 am

Patsy, Psalm 90 and 91 are absolute favorites for me as well. The psalms of Moses. Thank you so much for sharing my book - a true work of my heart. Blessings.

Patsy Burnette link

1/5/2024 04:33:58 pm

You're so very welcome, Susan!! Psalm 90 and 91 are truly powerful and meaningful, expressing deep reflections and trust in God's presence. I'm glad to read that your book is a work of your heart, and it's my pleasure to share it. May your book continue to touch the hearts of many, and may blessings abound in your journey. Blessings to you as well, friend!

Usha Borde link

10/29/2025 04:26:46 am

Hi ,

(Psa 91:14,16) states : 'Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: With
long life, will I satisfy him.'

The following Biblical verses state that ;through these other things, the person gets long life.

A) Long life by keeping God's fear.

(Proverbs 10:27) states :"The fear of the LORD prolongs life. '

We have to fear God, while doing the following things _:

1) ln turning away from evil.

(Proverbs 3:7 ) states :'Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, & turn away from evil.'

ln cleansing ourselves from every defilement of body & spirit.

(2 Corinthians 7:1) says ' Beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body & spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.'

2) While walking in His truth.

(Psalm 86:11 ) says : 'Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.'

3) While serving God.

(Psalm 2:11) says : 'Serve the Lord with fear & rejoice with trembling.'

4) ln working out our own salvation.

(Philippians . 2:12-13 ) states :'Work out your own salvation with fear & trembling .'

5) ln loving the brotherhood .

(1 Peter 2:17 ) says :'Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God.'

B) Long life by keeping God's commandments.

(Proverbs. 3:1-2) says : 'My son do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my command ments, for length of days, years of life & peace they will add to you.'

( Proverbs 4 :10 ) says :'Hear, O my son, & receive my sayings; & the years of thy life shall be many.'

C) Long life through ruling the tongue.

(Proverbs 18 : 21) states :'Death & life are in the power of the tongue & those who love it will
eat its fruit.”

D) Long life through getting wisdom.

(Proverbs 9:11 )states :' Through wisdom your days will be multiplied, & years will be added to your life"

E) Long life by honoring father & mother.

(Ephesians 6 : 2-3)states :' Honor your father & mother,” which is the first commandment with the promise: “that it may be well with you & you may live long on the earth”.

These are few examples who lost their lives _:

1) Hophni & Phinehas.

(1Samuel 2:12-36) states : 'The sons of Eli knew not the LORD.The priests' custom with the people was, that,when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a flesh hook of three teeth in his hand; he struck it into the pan,or kettle,or caldro n, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did this unto all the Israelites that came thither.Also before they burnt the fat,the priest's servant came ,& said to the man that sacrificed, "Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw. & if any man said unto him,Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, & then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him," Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: & ifnot, I will take it by force." Where fore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD:for men abhorred the offering of the LORD & God said through the man of Him unto Eli," This shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni & Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them."

2) Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat .

(2 Chronicles 21 :4, 6,9,11,12, 14, 18, 19) state:'
Now when Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he slew all his brethren with the sword, & divers also of the princes of Israel. He wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.He smote the Edomites,& the captains of the chariots. Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah & caused the inhabitants of Jerusale m to commit fornication.& there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD , "Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,' Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, thy children,thy wives & all thy goods: & after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease. His bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases.'

3)Dathan & Abiram.

( Numbers 16 : 2, 5, 11,19, 20,21,27, 30) state : ' Moses spake un to Korah & unto all his company
,"Tomorrow the LORD will shew who are His, & who is holy. For which cause thou & all thy compa ny are gathered together against the LORD:Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle & the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.LORD spake unto Moses & Aaron,"Separate yourselves from among this congregation,that I may consume them in a moment."Dathan & Abiram came out, & stood in the door of their tents, their wives, their sons & their little children. LORD made a new thing, the

10/29/2025 07:59:12 am

Thank you for sharing these powerful cross-references and insights, Usha!! It’s so encouraging to see how consistently Scripture connects long life with walking in the fear of the Lord, obedience, and wisdom.

Psalm 91 reminds us that God’s promises of protection and satisfaction are deeply rooted in love and devotion to Him. Your study of these verses beautifully reinforces that truth—when we align our hearts with His ways, we find both blessing and longevity in His presence.