ladies and gentlemen dear brothers and sisters good morning it is such a blessing to gather here today in the presence of Our Lord to reflect upon his mighty word and to draw near to him in prayer as we start this day let us turn our hearts to Psalm 91 which has been called The Psalm of protection and the psalm of Deliverance it is a Psalm that provides comfort in times of distress hope in times of Despair and Assurance of God's faithfulness in the midst of life's storms let us open our hearts to the truths found
in this powerful Psalm and let its words become the foundation of our morning prayer today Psalm 91 speaks of The Refuge and Fortress of our god it begins with the words he who dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the almighty there is a powerful imagery in these words to dwell means to stay to make a home it is not a fleeting visit it is an intentional decision to remain in the presence of God and the secret place of the most high is not a physical location it
is a spiritual place where we encounter God in his fullness and Majesty a place where his presence envelops us where we are safe where we are held in in his loving arms when we dwell in this secret place we are promised to abide under the shadow of the almighty the shadow of the almighty think about that for a moment to be in the shadow of the almighty means that we are so close to him that his presence surrounds us a shadow is a sign of nearness it speaks of a relationship the shadow of the almighty
is not distant but intimate it is a place of security a place where we are shielded from the dangers that surround us in this world the psalmist goes on to declare I will say of the Lord he is my refuge and my Fortress my God in him I will trust these words are a declaration of Faith a personal testimony of trust in God the psalmist does not merely acknowledge that God is a refuge he says he is my refuge this is a personal claim in the midst of life's uncertainties we can claim the Lord is
our refuge our shelter our place of safety a fortress is a stronghold a place that cannot be breached by the enemy it is a place of protection from Every Storm from every attack from every threat that comes our way but how often do we find ourselves running to other places for Refuge huge we turn to relationships to possessions to achievements to Our Own Strength but none of these things can offer the protection that only God can provide he is the true Refuge the only place where we can find safety for our souls the psalmist says
in him I will trust trusting in God means placing our confidence not in ourselves but in him it is a surrender of our own plans and desire desires and a complete Reliance on his power his wisdom and his goodness Psalm 91 continues with words of great comfort 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 the imagery here is of a bird a motherb bird who spreads her wings over her young to protect them
from danger this is a beautiful picture of the tender care of our heavenly father just as a bird Shields her chicks so God Shields his children he delivers us from the traps that the enemy sets for us from the dangers we cannot see and from the destructive forces that seek to harm us there are times in life when we feel as though we are caught in the snare of the Fowler the Fowler is a hunter who said sets traps for birds and he does so in a way that the bird cannot see until it is
too late how often do we find ourselves trapped in situations we never saw coming how often do we feel the weight of circumstances closing in around us leaving us with no way out yet the promise of God is clear he will Deliver Us From The Snare of the Fowler when we take refuge in him he will free us from the traps that the enemy sets and he will guide us safely to a place of peace and security the psalmist continues 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 noon day these words remind us that no matter what dangers we face whether in the quiet of the night or in the light of day God is our protector the terror By Night speaks of the fears that can invade our hearts when we lie awake at night anxious about the uncertainties of Life the arrow that flies by day speaks of the attacks that come unexpectedly without warning and the pestilence that walks in darkness speaks of the Unseen dangers
that threaten our health and well-being but the promise of God is that we need not be afraid we need not live in fear of the unknown or the Unseen God is with us and he will protect us from all harm he will watch over us even in the darkest of times as we begin each day we can pray these words claiming God's protection over our lives knowing that he will guard us from every danger that comes our way the psalmist goes on to declare that a thousand may fall at your side and 10,000 at your
right hand but it shall not come near you this is a promise of divine protection it is a reminder that though we may see others around us falling though we may witness the struggles and challenges of those we love God will protect his own his care for us is not limited by the circumstances around us in times of trouble when the world seems to be falling apart we can stand firm in the assurance that God is with us and he will not allow harm to come near us the psalm concludes with these beautiful words because
you have made the Lord who is my refuge even the most high your dwelling place no evil shall befall you nor shall any plague come near your dwell dwelling this is a promise for all who make the Lord their dwelling place when we choose to dwell in the secret place of the most high when we choose to make him our refuge we are under his protection no evil can touch us no plague can come near our homes this is the Assurance we have as children of God as we start this new day let us remember
these promises let us begin our day with the understanding that we are safe in the arms of our loving father let us dwell in the secret place of the most high under the shadow of the almighty let us trust in his protection knowing that he will Deliver Us from every snare from every danger from every fear and as we Face the challenges of today let us walk in the confidence that no matter what comes our way God is with us he is for us and he will never leave us nor forsake us so my dear
friends as we begin this day let us pray let us pray that God's presence would go before us that his protection would surround us and that his peace would fill our hearts let us make Psalm 91 our morning prayer declaring that he is our refuge our Fortress our deliverer and let us walk in the assurance that no matter what we face today we are under the shadow of the almighty and he will keep us safe may God bless each one of you as you go about your day may his peace be with you his protection
surround you and his love fill your heart in the name of Jesus we pray amen as we consider the promise of protection that is so powerfully declared in Psalm 91 let us think deeply about the profound Comfort this Psalm brings to our hearts there is a certain peace that comes from knowing that our God is Not distant but very near to us ready to guard us against every threat every fear and every worry that arises in the world we live in it's easy to be consumed by the challenges we face we live in a time
when uncertainty and fear often overshadow Our Lives whether it be the fear of sickness the fear of failure the fear of loss or even the fear of the unknown and yet in the midst of these fears we are called to remember that our God our refuge is never caught by surprise his protection is constant and unwavering and he is always watching over his children children when we speak of protection we are not simply talking about physical safety we are also talking about the protection of our hearts minds and Spirits the enemy is not only after
our bodies but after our souls his attacks are subtle Insidious often coming in the form of Doubt discouragement or even despair but when we dwell in the secret place of the most high when we take refuge under the shadow of his wings we are shielded from these spiritual attacks as well God's protection is holistic he guards us in every way possible the enemy may try to sew seeds of anxiety in our minds but God's peace which transcends all understanding guards our hearts and Minds in Christ Jesus and this peace is a peace that the world
cannot offer a peace that does not depend on circumstances but is rooted in the faithfulness of the one who has promised to protect us there is a Divine reality in the words of Psalm 91 that calls us to a deeper Faith a faith that is not merely theoretical or abstract but one that is lived out in the very real circumstances of Our Lives we often hear about the concept of God's protection but there are moments when we must truly experience it it's in the mid M of our personal trials and tribulations that the reality of
God's Refuge becomes something tangible he does not leave us alone when the storms of life rage he is our shelter in the storm our Fortress in the face of danger when the winds howl and the waves crash against us we are safe in his presence it is important for us to recognize that God's protection is not something we earn by our own strength but something we receive by Grace the psalmist does not claim to be worthy of this protection based on any Merit of his own but he declares I will say of the Lord he
is my refuge and my Fortress my God in him I will trust this is a declaration of trust it is an acknowledgment that our protection does not come from our own abilities or our own resources but from the one who is greater than anything we can imagine we are called to trust in him to place our confidence in his care and to surrender our own attempts to protect ourselves in the face of life's challenges and yet how often do we find ourselves attempting to take control how often do we try to fight our battles on
our own to Shield ourselves with our own strength or with the things of this world Psalm 91 challenges us to shift our Focus from ourselves and our circumstances to God and his promises it calls us to trust in him fully without reservation and to recognize that he is our true source of Safety and Security when we place our trust in God we acknowledge that he is the one who is ultimately in control and that we can rest in his sovereignty knowing that nothing can touch US unless he allows it it is in this trust that
we find the courage to face the unknown many of us struggle with fear of what may come but when we trust in God's protection we do not have to Fear the Future we do not have to worry about what tomorrow holds because we know that he holds tomorrow in his hands each day is a gift and we are called to live in the assurance that God is with us every step of the way when we make God our dwelling place when we choose to rest in his presence we can walk through the challenges of life
with confidence knowing that he will keep us safe another aspect of God's protection that is so beautifully portrayed in Psalm 91 is his Deliverance the psalmist declares that God will Deliver Us From The Snare of the Fowler and from the perilous pestilence Deliverance is not just about protection from harm but about freedom from the things that seek to entangle and enslave us there are many things in this world that seek to trap us addictions unhealthy relationships habits fears and anxieties these things can entangle us and prevent us from living the life that God has called
us to but the promise of Psalm 91 is that God is able to Deliver Us from these snares he is able to break the chains that bind us and set us free this Deliverance is not always immediate and it is not always easy sometimes we must walk through the valley of the shadow of death before we experience the fullness of God's Deliverance but even in the darkest moments we can trust that he is with us that he is working in us and through us and that he will ultimately bring us to a place of Freedom
Deliverance is a process but it is a process that leads to Victory and we can hold on to the assurance that God will deliver us no matter what we face when we reflect on the ultimate Deliverance that God has provided through Jesus Christ we realize that the protection and deliverance promised in Psalm 91 are not only for this life but also for eternity Jesus Christ came to Deliver Us from the Ultimate Enemy sin and death through his death and Resurrection he has secured our victory over the forces of Darkness the enemy may try to steal
kill and destroy but Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly our ultimate Safety and Security are found in him and in the assurance that nothing neither death nor life nor anything else can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our lord as we look back to Psalm 91 we see that God's protection is not only for the individual believer but for the community of Believers as well the promise of protection extends beyond our personal lives and touches those around us when we make God our refuge
we create a sanctuary not only for ourselves but For Those whom we love God's protection is a shield that covers not just us but those we are called to care for when we walk in the truth of Psalm 91 we are able to pray for the protection of our families our communities our Nations and we can trust that God is able to keep them as well as he keeps us this brings us to the last part of Psalm 91 which reminds us that God's protection is not a passive Force but an active one he promises
to command his angels concerning us to guard Us in all our ways it is a remarkable thought to know that God in his infinite power has assigned angels to watch over us to guide us and to protect us these angels are not distant uninvolved beings but Ministers of God's will sent to help us in our times of need and though we may not always see them we can trust that God is actively working on our behalf protecting us from danger seen and unseen as we go through the day let us remember this promise let us
remember that God's angels are watching over us that he is guiding us and that his protection is not a passive thing but an active reality we are not not alone we are not left to fend for ourselves God is with us and his angels are encamped around us guarding us from every danger in closing as we reflect on the power of Psalm 91 let us commit to making it our daily prayer let us claim God's protection over our lives over our families and over our communities let us dwell in the secret place of the most
high trusting in his refuge and resting in the shadow of the almighty and as we do let us walk in the confidence that no matter what comes our way God is with us he is for us and he will protect us the words of Psalm 91 hold a deep significance that can guide us not only in our moments of fear and distress but also in our times of Triumph and peace as we read and meditate on these verses we find ourselves drawn into a deep sense of trust knowing that the creator of the universe the
almighty God Is Watching Over Us his love and protection are not contingent Upon Our worthiness but are freely given to all who choose to make him their Refuge when we consider God's protection it's important to understand that his protection isn't just a promise for the times when we are physically in danger or facing immediate threats no his protection is a promise that touches every aspect of Our Lives from our emotional well-being to our mental and spiritual health how many of us have faced battles that no one else could see the struggles of the Mind the
weight of unspoken fears the turmoil of doubt and confusion Psalm 91 speaks to these hidden internal battles as well the protection we seek is not just from outward forces but also from the internal struggles that weigh heavy on our hearts God's Refuge is the place where we can rest from those battles his peace is The Shield that guards our hearts when the world around us seems chaotic it is a peace that passes all understanding guarding our hearts and Minds in Christ Jesus as we continue to reflect on Psalm 91 let us consider what it truly
means to dwell in the secret place of the most high to dwell is to remain to stay to make one's home this is not a casual visit or a brief moment of Refuge during times of trouble it is a lifestyle a commitment to making God the central focus of Our Lives to dwell in the secret place of the most high is to choose each day to seek his presence above all else it is to make his word word our daily bread and to allow his spirit to guide us in every decision we make to dwell
in his presence means that we are choosing to rest in his care knowing that we are safe under his wings this is a place of intimate communion with our heavenly father where our hearts are free from fear and anxiety because we know that he is with us we are living in a world that is constantly pulling us in different directions filled with distractions that seek to take our Focus off the one who is our refuge it is easy to get caught up in the demands of daily life the pressures of work relationships finances and the
expectations of those around us but Psalm 91 calls us to refocus our attention to dwell in the secret place of the most high and to trust in the shelter of his presence the world may be full of uncertainty but In God's Presence we find peace security and rest one of the beautiful aspects of Psalm 91 is the assurance that God's protection extends beyond our own lives when we make God our refuge we not only find security for ourselves but also for those we love Psalm 91 speaks of God's protection for those who trust in him
but it also speaks of his care for our families and loved ones God's protection is not limited to just one individual his care extends to those within our sphere of influence when we walk in the Assurance of his protection we can confidently pray for the safety and well-being of those we care about knowing that he will keep them safe as well this truth should give us great comfort especially as we consider the many people in our Lives who may not yet know the safety and refuge that is found in God how often do we worry
about our loved ones who are far from God those who have not yet experienced his protection those who do not yet trust in his promises Psalm 91 encourages us to take comfort in the fact that God's love is not limited by human understanding he desires for all people to come to to him and find Refuge under his wings as we pray for our loved ones we can trust that God is at work in their lives drawing them closer to himself providing for their needs and shielding them from harm we must also remember that the promises
of Psalm 91 are not just abstract Concepts they are rooted in God's faithfulness the promises we find in this Psalm are not empty words but guarantees backed by the unchanging nature of our God When God says he will protect us we can rest assured that he will do so his word is true and he is faithful to fulfill every promise he makes this is not a God who makes promises and then forgets them this is a God who watches over his word to perform it the same God who protected the Israelites in the wilderness who
shielded David from the hands of his enemies who delivered Daniel from the Lion's Den is the same God who watches over us today his protection is not limited by time or circumstance he is the same yesterday today and forever as we consider the significance of God's protection we must also remember that his protection does not mean we will be exempt from from trials or hardships the Bible is clear that we will face difficulties in this life Jesus himself said in this world you will have trouble but take heart I have overcome the world John 16:33
but while we may face trials we are not left to face them alone God's protection is not a promise that we will never experience difficulty but a promise that he will be with us through it all he will never leave us nor forsake us he is our refuge in times of trouble when the storms of life rage we can take shelter in him knowing that he is with us in the midst of the storm he is our constant source of strength and his presence is enough to sustain us through even the most difficult Seasons the
protection of God also extends to our spiritual lives there is a very real spiritual battle taking place in the Unseen realm and the enemy seeks to destroy our faith to lead us away from God and to entangle us in sin but the promise of Psalm 91 is that God will protect us from the snares of the enemy he will Deliver Us from the traps that are set for us the enemy may try to lure us into sin to seow seeds of doubt and unbelief in our hearts but but when we take refuge in God we
are shielded from the enemy's schemes the Apostle Paul reminds us that we are to put on the full armor of God so that we can stand firm against the attacks of the enemy and when we are fully equipped with God's armor we can stand strong in his protection knowing that no weapon formed against us shall prosper as we reflect on the deeper meaning of Psalm 91 it is clear that the key to experiencing the fullness of God's protection lies in our relationship with him it is not enough to merely read these verses and claim the
promises of Psalm 91 we must actively choose to make God our refuge we must commit ourselves to dwelling in his presence to trusting in his protection and to surrendering Our Lives to his care when we choose to place our trust in God when we choose to seek him first we position ourselves to experience the fullness of his protection this relationship with God is not a one-time decision but a daily Choice each day we must choose to turn to God to seek his presence and to trust in his promises it is in this ongoing relationship with
God that we find the security and peace that we long for we are not called to live in fear or anxiety but to live in the confidence that our God is with us that he is our refuge in Fortress and that he will protect us from every danger let us also remember that God's protection is not only for the present but for the future as well the psalmist declares with long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation this is a promise that extends beyond the here and now a promise of eternal life
with God God's protection is not limited to our Earthly existence it extends into eternity when we dwell in the secret place of the most high we are not only protected in this life but also in the life to come the ultimate protection that God offers is the Salvation of our souls the Assurance of eternal life with him this promise should give us great hope and joy knowing that no matter what happens in this life we are secure in his eternal love the protection of God is a gift a precious gift that we are called to
receive with gratitude it is a gift that we cannot earn or deserve but one that is freely given to us because of God's great love for us when we dwell in his presence when we trust in his protection we experience the fullness of this gift we are safe in his care and we can walk through life with the confidence that our God is with us watching over us and keeping us in his perfect peace as we continue to reflect on the beauty of Psalm 91 we are reminded of the depth of God's care for us
his protection is not just a distant promise but a tangible reality in our lives it is a reality that is grounded in the personal relationship we share with him when we speak of God as a refuge and Fortress we are not speaking of a distant deity who is uninvolved with our daily struggles but of a God who is intimately acquainted with our Joys and Sorrows our triumphs and failures he is a God who knows us deeply who understands our fears and anxieties and who offers his protection not as a detached Observer but as a loving
father who cares deeply for his children in the face of uncertainty when we are unsure of what tomorrow holds we find comfort in the assurance that God is our shelter he is the one who holds our future in his hands this is not just a promise of physical safety but a promise that our lives are in his Sovereign control nothing that happens in our lives is outside of his knowledge or his will this truth can bring peace to our hearts even in the most chaotic circumstances the storms of life may rage but we can rest
in the knowledge that God is our protector and he will not allow us to face anything without his strength and Grace one of the most profound aspects of God's protection is that it is not dependent on our own strength or ability Psalm 91 reminds us that it is God who is our refuge not ourselves we cannot protect ourselves from every danger nor can we anticipate every trial that may come our way but God In His Infinite Wisdom sees what we cannot he knows what lies ahead and he is already at work preparing a way for
us this is why it is so crucial to place our trust in him not in our own efforts we are called to rest in his care to trust that he is watching over us even when we cannot see the full picture God's protection also calls us to a response of Faith to trust in his promises means that we must choose to rely on him even when the world around us seems UNC it's easy to place our trust in things we can see our careers our health our resources but Psalm 91 reminds us that the true
source of our protection is not found in these things but in God alone he is the one who Shields us from harm and guards us from danger it is in him that we must place our confidence knowing that he is faithful to his word as we move through each day we are invited to reflect on the greatness of God's protection his love and care for us are immeasurable and his promises are certain when we Face trials we are not left to face them alone we have a God who is with us every step of the
way guiding us guarding us and ultimately leading us to Victory the words of Psalm 91 serve as a reminder that we are never alone that God is always with us and that his protection is an everpresent reality in our lives when we rest in the shelter of the most high we find peace comfort and the assurance that we are safe in his loving arms in conclusion Psalm 91 stands as a powerful reminder of the unshakable protection and refuge that God offers to those who trust in him his promises are not fleeting or conditional they are
rooted in his eternal love and faithfulness no matter the storms we Face we can find peace in the assurance that our heavenly father is our refuge our Fortress and our deliverer as we dwell in his presence he provides us with not only physical safety but spiritual protection guarding our hearts and Minds from Fear doubt and despair to trust in God's protection is to place our confidence in his sovereignty knowing that he is always watching over us guiding us through life's trials and triumphs it is a call to surrender our worries and anxieties recognizing that we
are safe under his care in moments of uncertainty we can rest in the truth that God is with us and his promises will never fail Psalm 91 invites us to experience the depth of God's love and protection in a personal real way it encourages us to dwell in the secret place of the most high to trust in his Sheltering presence and to walk in the peace that comes from knowing we are never alone with God as our refuge we can face each day with confidence knowing that he will keep us safe from harm Deliver Us
from Evil and ultimately lead us to Eternal safety in his presence
