The Ultimate Bodyguard

“The Ultimate Bodyguard”

Psalm 91:1-4 & 9-16

Some of you may know from either reading my personal testimony or just talking with me, that I had a rough upbringing. My parents divorced when I was very young. This shocked my sister and I both because we never saw it coming. Not more than a year later my mother walked out on my sister and I one Friday in October. My father was en route to pick us up for the weekend and when he turned on to our street, he saw in the distance, his two children sitting on the sidewalk crying uncontrollably. As fast as he could pull into the driveway, he was holding us and protecting us from anymore harm.

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Today I now know that my earthly father wasn’t the only one holding us. My Heavenly Father was there holding us, protecting us, and keeping us free from all harm. This scripture has become very dear to me and has brought me tremendous comfort.

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As we look at the Word here in Psalm 91, I believe that we will discover once again just how much God loves us.

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Bible scholars agree that this particular psalm was probably written by one of the temple personnel (that being a priest or a Levite) as a promise to godly worshippers.

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Verse 1 states right off the bat that those (which are those who are followers of the Lord) who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, WILL rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Did you see that? Did you hear that? He who dwells in Him WILL rest in Him! To me…that’s a promise right there. The sheer fact here is, is that the psalmist was so confident in his relationship with the Lord that the love and provision the Lord bestowed upon him and ultimately to us HAD to be the very first thing he writes down. He who dwells in Him, will rest in Him!

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SO in verse 1, the psalmist makes a rock solid statement about the security we have in the Lord for those who trust in Him. That statement is for all to hear and believe in. But look at verse 2...he makes it personal! KJV reads it this way, “I will say of the Lord, He is MY refuge, He is MY fortress, MY God, in Him will I trust!” It’s personal! I can almost see this psalmist in front of the temple proclaiming this verse…”I don’t know about you.. But this is what I know…He’s MINE, MY refuge, MY fortress, MY God! It‘s totally personal, but to the point (Blind Man Ref. John 9:1-25)

Looking at verse 3...This is a perfect example of how a father protects and shelters his children. I believe that fathers (at least the majority in my opinion) do whatever they can to keep their children safe from all harm. But, unfortunately, there are times that we, as fathers, are not able to get to our children quick enough when something does happen. I remember times when my father was there for me, and I also remember times when he wasn’t there. Bottom line…we are human and are not perfect. We’ll let each other down no matter how you set it up. Friend to friend, husband to wife, parents to children. It’s not our desire to deliberately fail one another, but it happens!

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The good news about our Heavenly Father is that everything I just mentioned about earthly fathers, does not apply! It is promised that the Lord will save us from any and all harm that the enemy (Satan) may throw our ways. Once again…My Refuge and my Fortress! In Joshua 1:5 and in Hebrews 13:5, God reminds us that He will NEVER leave us nor forsake us.

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But there are times when it feels like the rug or rugs have been pulled out from under us, and we wonder why. We are human and we do hurt sometimes. In Oct. of 2004, I went through three (3) funerals in a span of 13 days, in 3 different states! On three consecutive Mondays that month, either my wife or I received information about someone dear in our lives passing away. What a tough time in our lives. But did God keep us safe and comfort us under His wings? Yes He did! Did He hide the hurting of all three of those families under His wings and heal them? Yes He did! Will He always be there? Yes! Will His faithfulness be our shield and barricade? Yes! Verse 4 claims that to be true! He will cover you, He will give you refuge, and He will put a shield on you and a barricade around you with His righteousness. That’s my Dad!