Good morning, beloved. It's a joy to gather with you today, our hearts intertwined by the common thread of faith, our spirits united in the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As we gather in His name, let's pause for a moment, allowing the clamor of the world to fade into the background, and the still, small voice of God to rise above all else.
We are here to bask in the light of Word of God, to find comfort in His promises, and to draw strength from His unchanging character. Today, we will turn our hearts and minds to the comforting words of Psalm 91:1-6. This is a passage that whispers hope to the weary, casts light onto the path of the uncertain, and serves as an anchor in the stormy seas of life, giving us the One in whom we put our trust in.
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
Psalm 91:1-6
Isn't it comforting to know that we have a refuge in the Lord, a fortress that stands unshaken amidst life's tremors? Isn't it assuring to know that God's faithfulness shields us, that His love envelopes us, even in the face of fear and uncertainty?
[Title: The Security of Trustin God]
In the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon, "Fear not, for God is with you; be not dismayed, for He is your God." This is the truth we cling to, the promise we stand upon.
Now, let's turn our hearts and minds to the comforting words of Psalm 91, as we discover the depth of God's love, the strength of His protection, and the certainty of His promises.
God as Our Refuge
Amid life's storms, we often seek a place of safety. We yearn for a sanctuary where we can find solace and peace. This longing is not foreign to the human heart; it is a universal experience that transcends culture, age, and time. We see this reflected in the words of the psalmist, who found his sanctuary in the Lord. He writes, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty."
This is not a casual statement. It is a profound declaration of faith, a testament to the psalmist's personal experience with God. The psalmist is not merely saying that God can be a refuge; he is asserting that God is his refuge. This is a personal, intimate relationship, not a distant, impersonal one, or even a hope for one. In King David’s heart and mind, this is a guarantee.
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.
Psalm 42:11
The psalmist's words paint a vivid picture of a God who is not only capable of providing shelter but is also willing and eager to do so. This is a God who invites us to dwell in His shelter, to abide in His shadow. This is a God who offers us more than just temporary relief from our troubles; He offers us a permanent home, a place where we can find rest and peace.
The imagery of a shelter speaks of protection and safety. It is a place where we can find refuge from the elements, a place where we can rest and recuperate. In the same way, God is our shelter from the storms of life. He is our protection from the trials and tribulations that threaten to overwhelm us. He is our haven, our sanctuary, our refuge.
The imagery of a shadow speaks of closeness and intimacy. To be in someone's shadow, you must be close to them. The psalmist is saying that when we dwell in God's shelter, we are not distant or detached from Him. We are close to Him, in His presence, under His watchful care. This is a comforting thought, especially when we are going through difficult times. Amen.
The psalmist's words also speak of a God who is mighty and powerful. The term "Most High" is a title of supremacy, indicating that there is no one higher or greater than God. The term "Almighty" is a title of omnipotence, indicating that there is nothing too hard for God. This is a God who is not only willing to be our refuge but is also able to be our refuge. He is not a weak or powerless God; He is a strong and mighty God.
Here is a riddle for you: What is mightier than God, what is eviler than the devil; rich people want it, and poor people have it. What is it? Nothing!
The psalmist's words also speak of a God who is faithful and trustworthy, a God who has no equal, a mighty God. The psalmist says, "I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" This is a statement of trust, a declaration of faith in God's faithfulness. The psalmist is saying that he trusts God to be his refuge, to be his fortress. He is confident in God's ability to protect him, to keep him safe.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
Here is a trust in the security of God, where the shepherd is not afraid of going into areas where danger may hide in the shadows. Also know that going through the valley is imagery of the troubles of life we all face. But we face them knowing that we have the security of God to get us through it.
The psalmist's words paint a beautiful picture of God as our refuge. This is a God who is willing and able to provide us with a place of safety and peace. This is a God who is close to us, who cares for us, who watches over us. This is a God who is mighty and powerful, who can, and will protect us from the storms of life. This is a God who is faithful and trustworthy, who we can rely on to be our refuge and our fortress. This is the God we serve, the God we worship, the God we love.
God's Promise of Protection
In the words of the psalmist, we find a promise that is both profound and comforting: "For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence." This is a promise of protection, a divine assurance that God will shield us from the dangers that lurk in the shadows of life.
In this promise, we see a vivid image of a fowler setting a trap for a bird. The fowler is cunning, his traps are hidden, and his aim is to capture and destroy. But God promises to deliver us from the snare of the fowler. He promises to intervene, to step in and save us from the hidden dangers that seek to ensnare us.
This is not a promise of a life free from danger or hardship. Rather, it is a promise that during times of danger and hardship, God is with us. He is our protector, our defender, our deliverer. He is the one who steps into the fray, who intervenes on our behalf, who rescues us from the snares that seek to entangle us.
The psalmist also speaks of the "deadly pestilence" - a term that conjures images of disease and death. In the face of such threats, the psalmist assures us that God will deliver us. This is not a promise of immunity from illness or suffering. Rather, it is a promise that during illness and suffering, God is our healer, our comforter, our sustainer. He is the one who brings healing amid sickness, comfort during pain, and hope amid despair.
The Hebrew word for "deliver" used in this verse is a word that carries the connotation of snatching away, rescuing, or delivering from danger. It's used in other passages of Scripture to describe God's deliverance of His people. For instance, in Exodus 3:8, God promises to deliver the Israelites from the hand of the Egyptians…and we have scientific and archaeological proof of the Red Sea crossing by way of the human and horse bones, along with the chariot wheels and parts found in the middle of the Red Sea. In 2 Samuel 22:18, David praises God for delivering him from his strong enemy. In these instances, and many others, deliver conveys a sense of God's active, powerful intervention on behalf of His people.
But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
2 Thessalonians 3:3-4
In the face of life's trials and tribulations, we can find comfort in the knowledge that God is our protector. He is the one who stands between us and the dangers of this world, the one who steps in to shield us from harm. This is not passive protection, but an active defense. God is not a distant observer, but an engaged defender. He is the one who fights for us, who stands in the gap for us, who shields us with His mighty hand.
During life's storms, we can find peace in the promise that God is our sustainer. He is the one who holds us up when the ground beneath us shakes, the one who steadies us when the winds of adversity blow. This is not a temporary support, but a constant steadiness. God is not a fleeting presence, but a constant companion. He is the one who walks with us, who carries us, who sustains us with His unfailing love.
In the end, the promise of God's protection is not a guarantee of a life free from danger or hardship. Rather, it is a promise of God's presence during danger and hardship. It is a promise that God will be with us, that He will protect us, that He will sustain us. It is a promise that, no matter what we face, we are not alone. God is with us, and He is for us. And in His presence, we find our protection.
We now turn our attention to the idea of God's Assurance in Uncertainty. This is a theme that resonates deeply with each of us, for who among us has not faced the shroud of uncertainty, the fog of confusion, the storm of doubt? Yet, amid these challenging times, we can find solace in the assurance of God's steadfast presence.
Let’s consider the idea of Being Secure Under God's Watch. This is a comforting truth that is woven throughout the tapestry of Scripture. It speaks to the reality that, no matter what we face, we can rest in the knowledge that we are under the watchful eye of our Heavenly Father. He is not a distant deity, unconcerned with our struggles. On the contrary, He is an intimately involved God, who sees our trials and tribulations, and responds with compassion and care.
In his book, "The Knowledge of the Holy," A.W. Tozer beautifully articulates this truth. He writes, "God is closer to us than we are to ourselves. He is nearer to us than our own thoughts." This is a powerful reminder that, even in our darkest moments, when uncertainty seems to be our only certainty, we are never alone. God is with us, watching over us, caring for us, and providing for us.
Another aspect of God's Assurance in Uncertainty that we will consider is the idea of Trusting in God's Sovereignty. This is a truth that challenges us to relinquish control, to surrender our fears and anxieties, and to place our trust in the One who holds all things in His hands. It's a call to trust in the sovereignty of God, to believe that He is in control, even when our circumstances seem chaotic, and our path unclear.
In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul reminds us of this truth. He writes:
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
This is a promise that, no matter what we face, God is working for our good. It's an assurance that, even during uncertainty, we can trust in the sovereignty of God.
God's Assurance in Uncertainty that we will consider is the idea of Finding Peace in God's Presence. This is a truth that invites us to find rest in the presence of God, to experience the peace that surpasses all understanding, and to be still and know that He is God. It's a call to quiet our hearts, to silence the noise of the world, and to listen for the still, small voice of God.
The last aspect of God's Assurance in Uncertainty that we will consider is the idea of Living in Light of God's Promises. This is a truth that encourages us to live considering the promises of God, to stand on the solid rock of His Word, and to be assured of His faithfulness. It's a call to live with confidence, to walk by faith, and to be assured of His promises.
In his second letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul writes, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ" (2 Corinthians 1:20). This is a promise that, no matter what we face, we can stand on the promises of God. It's an assurance that, even during uncertainty, we can live considering His promises.
So, as we continue to navigate the uncertain waters of life, let us be encouraged by these truths. Let us be secure under God's watch, trust in His sovereignty, find peace in His presence, and live considering His promises. And as we do, may we experience the fullness of God's assurance in uncertainty.
Conclusion
As we close our time together today, let's remember the profound truth we've discovered in Psalm 91. We serve a God who is our refuge, our fortress, and our shield. He's not a distant deity, but a loving Father who covers us with His wings, providing a haven amidst life's storms, and that of Jesus, who came to die for our deliverance.
In times of uncertainty, we can find solace in His promises. When fear threatens to overwhelm us, we can find peace in His presence. Our God is not just a God of the mountaintop, but also of the valley. He walks with us through every season, every circumstance, every challenge.
A firefighter gave an account of an automobile wreck where one of the cars was crushed, so much so that they knew no one in the car could have survived. But using the jaws of life to retrieve what they believed to be a mangled human body, they heard whispers from within the vehicle. Upon prying the vehicle open they found a woman holding a bible praying. In this crumpled mess of a vehicle God had created a heaven for her to be safe in. To top it all off, she only had a few scrapes on her legs. Isn’t God amazing?
So, let's step out in faith, knowing that we are held, we are loved, and we are protected by the Most High. Let's live with the assurance that no matter what we face, we can say with confidence, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
