Sermon Central
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My Hiding Place
Contributed by Jerry Flury on Feb 1, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: Life is filled with problems,small and some great. Many instead of going to the Divine Hiding Place simply go to pieces. They need not. Psalm 91 is an expression of the child of God’s confidence in God’s protection and deliverance.
My Hiding Place
Introduction: Life is filled with problems, some small and some great. There are many "Jigsaw Christians" in the world today: every time they are faced with problems, instead of going to the Divine Hiding Place, they go to pieces. They are looking at their problems rather than to the Problem Solver. Psalm 91 is an expression of the child of God’s confidence in divine protection and deliverance.
I. The Lord is my Protector.
A. Vs. 1 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty” (Shaddai)
B. “Those who go to God Most High for safety will be protected by the Almighty.” (NCV)
C. Psalm 5:11 “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.”
D. There is a story of a believer, Frederick Nolan, who was fleeing from his enemies during a time of persecution in North Africa. Pursued by them over the hill and valley with no place to hide, he fell exhausted into a wayside cave, expecting his enemies to find him soon. Awaiting his death, he saw a spider weaving a web. Within minutes, the little bug had woven a beautiful web across the mouth of the cave. The pursuers arrived and wondered if Nolan was hiding there, but on seeing the unbroken and unmangled piece of art, thought it impossible for him to have entered the cave without dismantling the web. Therefore, they went on. Having escaped, Nolan burst out and exclaimed, "Where God is, a spider’s web is like a wall. Where God is not, a wall is like a spider’s web."
E. 1 John 5:18 “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.”
II. The Lord is my Place of Safety.
A. Vs 2 “I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’."
B. Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”
C. Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”
D. In 1960, the Mau Mau uprising gripped Kenya. During that time, missionaries Matt and Lora Higgens had to drive through hostile territory on their way to Nairobi, well aware that many had met violent deaths at the hands of Mau Mau terrorists in that area. After dark, about 17 miles from Nairobi, the Land Rover they were driving failed. Matt tried in vain to repair the vehicle. The couple was forced to lock the doors and pray for safety. They awoke safely, repaired the car, and traveled on to Nairobi. Some days later, they heard an interesting story from an individual who was in contact with terrorist groups: As Matt and Lori had slept that night; three terrorists had come upon them and intended to kill them. Suddenly, though, the terrorists had seen 16 strongmen surrounding the car, and fled in fear! Matt and Lora were puzzled about the identity of the 16 men-- until they returned to America several weeks later and heard the thrilling testimony of a friend: "On March 23, God burdened my heart for you. I called the men at our church, and SIXTEEN of us met together for emergency prayer on your behalf!" – Bill Bright, "How You Can Pray With Confidence" (1995 Campus Crusade for Christ), pp. 32-33.
III. The Lord is my Deliverer
A. Vs 3 “...He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.”
B. Psalm 34:17 “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles”
C. As believers, you and I have no grounds for fear, or any reason to be dejected. No conflicts or predicaments should crush us, as long as we can draw close to God. We have no idea how long the onslaught of trouble might last or how deep the troubled waters may get, but they will pass and we will have ultimate deliverance. Remember the Eternal, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Ever-Present God is not only our Refuge but is our Deliverer."
D. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
E. No rut is so deep you can’t leave it.
No dream is so lost you can’t retrieve it.
