My Hiding Place
Psalm 91:1-8
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.
No pain is so great you can’t endure it.
No sin is so bad God can’t cure it. --Gerald Mann
IV. The Lord is My Shelter
A. Vs 4 “He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”
B. An article in National Geographic several years ago provided a penetrating picture of God’s wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno’s damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother’s wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had arrived and the heat had singed her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live.
C. Colossians 3:3 “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
D. Psalm 119:114 “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.
V. The Lord is my Peace
A. V 5-6 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
B. Peace that Jesus gives is not the absence of trouble, but is rather the confidence that He is there with you always.
C. Long ago a man sought the perfect picture of peace. Not finding one that satisfied, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from everywhere. Finally, the great day of revelation arrived. The judges uncovered one peaceful scene after another while the viewers clapped and cheered. The tensions grew. Only two pictures remained veiled. As a judge pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd. A mirror-smooth lake reflected lacy, green birches under the soft blush of the evening sky. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. Unquestionably, this was the winner. The man with the vision uncovered the second painting himself, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace? A tumultuous waterfall cascaded down a rocky precipice; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. Stormy-gray clouds threatened to explode with lightning, wind and rain. In the midst of the thundering noises and bitter chill, a spindly tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls. One of its branches reached out in front of the torrential waters as if foolishly seeking to experience its full power. A little bird had built a nest in the elbow of that branch. Content and undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, she rested on her eggs. With her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, she manifested peace that transcends all earthly turmoil. – A Wardrobe from the King, Berit Kjos, pp. 45-46
D. Isaiah 26:3-4 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”
E. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”
F. Faith came singing into my room, and other guests took flight: Fear and Anxiety, Grief and Gloom sped out into the night. I wondered that such peace could be, but Faith said gently, “Don’t you see? They really cannot live with me.” – Copied
VI. The Lord is my Confidence.
A. V 7-8 “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.”
B. “you will not be hurt” (NCV)
C. Psalm 55:23 “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
D. Faith is confidence in the Rock of our Salvation for what He will do for and in us.
E. Psalm 32:10-11 “Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”
F. Sometime when you’re in an airport, observe the difference between passengers who hold confirmed tickets and those who are on standby. The ones with confirmed tickets read newspapers, chat with their friends or sleep. The ones on standby hang around the ticket counter, and pace back and forth. The difference is caused by the confidence factor. If you knew that in fifteen minutes you would have to stand in judgment before the Holy God and learn your eternal destiny, what would your reaction be? Would you smoke and pace? Would you say to yourself, "I don’t know what God’s going to say--will it be ’Welcome home, child,’ or will it be ’Depart from me; I never knew you’? adapted from Bill Hybels, Too Busy Not To Pray, IVP, p. 113.
All Scripture quotations unless marked otherwise are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: Source material for this sermon has been gleaned from many different sources. I have attempted to acknowledge these sources whenever possible. Please feel free to use this message as God’s Holy Spirit directs your heart.
