We come to the Lord's Word this morning.
We're in the book of Psalms.
So you can open your Bible up to Psalms.
We're in Psalm 91.
Psalm 91.
And I know I usually read through the psalm at the beginning,
but this time we're going to kind of read through it as we go.
Let's jump in.
The first thing that we notice about this psalm
is that there is no superscription at the top.
So we don't know who wrote this.
We don't know what the occasion is.
And we don't know whether it's a song or just a piece of poetry,
a blessing or something perhaps.
So we just have to be content with not knowing some of these things.
And we have to take this psalm as it comes to us.
There seems to be four parts to this psalm.
The first two verses, if you could have your Bible open in front of you,
you can kind of see there's often a break there.
The psalm contains the opening statement
where the author expresses his confidence in God.
Then the next part, verses 3 to 8,
is packed full of these will statements.
And the psalmist makes numerous statements
about how things will go for the person who takes refuge in God.
Then in verse 9, the author restates the main theme of the psalm
and reminds us of just who these promises are for.
And then he goes on to give more will statements
and describes how things will go for the person who really trusts in the Lord.
And then finally, the last part of the psalm, verses 14 to 16,
the will statements continue,
but the one who is saying them changes.
Now it's the Lord who is speaking
about how he will act
in response to the prayers and plights of his people.
And the main theme of this psalm,
the great declaration of it,
is that God is the protector of his people.
So let's see this and hear this
from the words of the psalmist,
starting in verses 1 and 2.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord,
He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God in whom I trust.
So the psalmist has something to say.
He has a statement to make,
and it comes to us in verse 2.
I will say of the Lord,
He is my refuge and my fortress.
These two words, refuge and fortress,
speak of the safety and the protection
that are found in the Lord.
Now, it's probably difficult for us
to relate to these two words a little bit,
because we've all been blessed
to know relative peace in our lifetimes.
But if you read through the story of Israel
in the Old Testament,
you'll see that many of those ancient days
were full of war,
battles,
bloodshed,
violence.
The surrounding nations and peoples
would raid and pillage Israel
and each other.
And so the fortified city,
the city of refuge,
was a big deal back then.
That was the place that you and your family
would run to
when you saw the enemy army coming
or raiders coming.
And the sturdy walls
would give you protection
against soldiers and chariots.
Think of the stories of Joshua
and the battle at Jericho
or Jerusalem.
Both were fortified cities
known for their great thick walls
and their towers for defense.
And at various times in Israel's history,
there were many cities like these
fortified with walls.
This was common to them.
So what is the psalmist declaring here
in verse 2?
He's saying,
when I'm looking for shelter,
a hiding place,
a safe place,
where do I go?
Where do I run to?
Not an earthly city,
but a person.
My God.
He is my protector.
He is the one who keeps me safe.
And I trust in His protection.
This is the theme of the entire psalm.
God is the trustworthy,
dependable protector of His people.
And now He launches into these will statements.
These first few will statements
in verses 3 and 4
are about what God will do
for those who trust in Him.
Verse 3.
Surely He will save you
from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you
with His feathers
and under His wings
you will find refuge.
His faithfulness
will be your shield
and rampart.
So these are the kinds of things
that God will do
for those who trust in Him.
He will save you
from the fowler's snare.
The psalmist uses
metaphorical language here
and it's drawing on
the situation of birds.
A fowler is a hunter of birds
and in this context
using a snare or a trap
to hunt for birds.
So the enemy is on the prowl
like a hunter
and we are like the bird.
But God is the one
who will save us
from the enemy
and His trap.
In verse 4.
More bird metaphor.
He will cover you
with His feathers
and under His wings
you will find refuge.
I love this picture.
The picture here
is that God will take you
under His loving care
and protection
like a mother bird
does its helpless
little babies.
He will draw you close.
He will keep you safe.
He will be a hiding place
for you
in the time of trouble.
The main point here
in all of this
is that God
is not the kind of God
who will simply
let His people
be caught
and killed
by enemies
and predators
while He turns a blind eye.
He will intervene.
He will save us.
He will protect us
because He cares for us
like we are His very own.
I love the statement here
at the end of verse 4.
His faithfulness
will be your shield
and rampart.
A rampart
is a protective wall.
So God's faithfulness
is like a shield
or barrier
that protects us
from harm and danger.
God can be dependent on
to keep His promises.
He is the one
who comes between us
and trouble
like a deflecting shield,
like an impenetrable barrier.
Then in verses 5 to 8
the psalmist switches
from He will
to now
you will.
So verses 3 and 4
it was God will save you.
He will protect you.
He will shield you.
And now in verses 5
it's
you will not fear
the terror
of night
nor the arrow
that flies by day.
you will not
fear the pestilence
that stalks
in the darkness
nor the plague
that destroys
at midday.
A thousand
may fall at your side
ten thousand
at your right hand
but it will not
come near you.
You will only observe
with your eyes
and see
the punishment
of the wicked.
So with God
protecting you
this is how
it will go for you.
And He gives
two more
will statements.
We'll just look
at the first one
the big one.
You will not fear
and then He lists off
some common dangers
of the day.
You will not fear them
because remember
the Lord
is your shield.
He is your protector.
Let's look at some
of these common dangers
or threats.
He says
you will not fear
the terror
of night.
If we compare
this to another
place in the Bible
where this phrase
is used
it likely refers
to the frequent
threat of
bandits
or thugs
or criminals
thieves
who would use
the cover of darkness
to attack
to rob
to pillage
to kill.
He says
you will not fear
the arrow
that flies
by day.
This probably
referring to
the arrow
shot by archers
in battle.
You will not
fear the pestilence
that stalks
in the darkness
nor the plague
that destroys
at midday.
Both of these
are referring
to fatal diseases
things that spread
invisibly.
Usually
the kind
that result
in death.
Verse 7
A thousand
may fall
at your side
ten thousand
at your right hand
but it will
not come
near you.
Now some people
think that this
refers to
like a battle
people falling
in battle
but most likely
it refers to
the plague
to pestilence
no matter
how many
there are
around you
getting sick
dropping down
from the plague
you will not
fear
because it
will not
come near
you.
Now we may
wonder
why all the
switching back
and forth
between night
and day
darkness
and midday
remember
this is a poem
this is poetry
and this is a
poetic device
called merism
where you kind
of use both
parts
but your
whole point
is about
the whole
we're more
familiar with
the expression
maybe that
you know
I was praying
day and night
that God
would do this
what we really
mean is
all the time
around the
clock
and so it
seems that
this is the
same kind
of idea
that he's
giving here
God's
trustworthy
dependable
protection
enables us
to live
without fear
around the
clock
whether it's
at night
and the
dangers
of night
or during
the day
and the
things that
can happen
in the
day
in a
similar
fashion
we shouldn't
look at these
particular dangers
as being
the only
things
that God
protects us
from
I mean
these are
just a few
samples
of the
possible
dangers
but the
overall point
is that
God protects
his people
from all
kinds of
danger
all kinds
of harm
he is the
shield that
comes between
us and
these things
in life
now I know
that already
some of you
might be
thinking
and the
question might
be coming
up
what about
when bad
things like
these do
happen
to the
righteous
to God's
people
we're going
to get to
that question
in a couple
minutes here
but let's
not miss
let's not
fail to
hear the
main point
of this
section
is that
God protects
his people
around the
clock
from all
kinds
of troubles
and dangers
verse 9
if you say
the Lord
is my
refuge
and you
make the
most high
your dwelling
no harm
will overtake
you
no disaster
will come
near
your tent
for he
will command
his angels
concerning
you
to guard
you in
all your
ways
they will
lift you
up in
their hands
so that
you will
not strike
your foot
against a
stone
you will
tread
on the
lion
and the
cobra
you will
trample
the great
lion
and the
serpent
so the
psalmist
makes it
clear this
protection
is not
enjoyed
by everyone
it's only
those who
say
the Lord
is my
refuge
it's only
those who
make the
most high
their dwelling
those who
trust in
him
those who
live in
him
that's who
these promises
of protection
are for
and then the
psalmist goes
on to make
more wonderful
declarations about
how the Lord
protects his
people
if you
say the
Lord is my
refuge
if you
make him
your
dwelling
no harm
will overtake
you
no disaster
will come
near your
tent
why not
because he
will command
his angels
concerning
you
to guard
you in all
your ways
and his
angels
will do
the job
they will
see to
it
that you
do not
come
to harm
verse 13
takes it a
step beyond
that even
it's not
just about
survival
it's not
just about
bare minimum
protection
it will also
be about
triumph
over the
enemy
you will
tread
on the
lion
and the
cobra
you will
trample
the great
lion
and the
serpent
so god
not only
protects his
people but
he also
in the
end will
give them
victory
over their
enemies
over the
things that
threaten
and endanger
us
now let's
come to
this question
that I know
is probably
percolating in
some of our
minds
what about
the suffering
of the
righteous
because many
look at these
promises and
say oh that's
not true
that sounds
too good to
be true
if this is
true that no
harm will
overtake you
no disaster
will come near
your tent
what about all
the faith
filled people
who have
suffered
and died
from things
like these
and this is a
difficult question
to answer
in fact the
entire book
of Job
is devoted
to this
question
what about
when the
righteous
suffer
calamity
and it's
no fault
of their
own
if God
always protects
his people
all the time
from all kinds
of things
like these
what about
Joseph
who was
sold into
slavery
by his
brothers
and got
stuck in
jail
for years
what about
King David
who was
hunted
and persecuted
by his
wicked
father-in-law
for years
what about
the righteous
prophets
who were
killed
slaughtered
by the
Israelites
what about
the apostles
many of whom
were killed
because of
their devotion
to Jesus
and it's here
that we have
to come to
grips with
five things
that will help
us read
this the
right way
number one
God can
and does
do all
these things
literally
at times
at various
times in
history
verses six
and seven
speak of the
pestilence
and the plague
not even
coming near
people dropping
from it
all around
and yet
there you are
standing safe
is this not
exactly what
happened when
the Israelites
were in
Egypt
the last
several plagues
God targeted
specifically
only on the
Egyptians
they literally
looked around
them and they
saw the
people
the damage
the ruin
the death
and there they
were standing
safely in the
land of Goshen
all was well
so yes
God can do
this
each of these
things literally
and he has
or look at
verse 13
you will tread
on the lion
you will trample
the great lion
it was David
who told
King Saul
that the Lord
one time
helped him
to strike
down a lion
while he was
just a young
boy and he
was tending
his father's
sheep
Daniel was
thrown into
a whole den
of lions
and God
gave him
victory over
them
and how did
he do it
by sending
his angel
to shut
the mouths
of the lion
so God
can
and has
done these
kinds of
things
literally
but the
second thing
to remember
is that
this is
poetry
he's bringing
all of these
things together
poetically
to make a
point
to illustrate
the many
different ways
that God
can and
does protect
his people
the point's
not that God
never allows
plagues
to make
his people
sick
or die
the points
that God
ordinarily
protects his
people from
all kinds
of things
throughout
their lives
this doesn't
mean that
we'll never
get sick
we all know
that
truth be
told
we won't
really know
until the
end
when we are
with God
looking back
on our
lives
just how
many
disasters
he spared
us
from
how many
car accidents
we would
have been
in
had God
not
interrupted
us
and made
us late
how many
times on the
job we could
have been
fatally injured
had his
angels not
been present
there
intervening
in the
moment
in the
ways that
we didn't
even see
so we
need to
know that
this is
poetry
which
taken
all
together
is
making
a
grand
statement
God
protects
his
people
all
the
time
around
the
clock
in
all
kinds
of
ways
throughout
their
lives
third
we need
to see
that this
is a
particular
kind
of
poetry
it's
wisdom
poetry
there are
a number
of
psalms
that
are
kind
of
all
together
on
this
a
kind
of
poetry
in
the
bible
that
contains
sayings
principles
proverbs
that are
generally
true
but not
always
without
exception
let's
look
quickly
at
psalm
112
for
an
example
there
it
says
blessed
are
those
who
fear
the
lord
who
find
great
delight
in
his
commands
their
children
will
be
mighty
in
the
land
the
generation
of
the
upright
will
be
blessed
wealth
and
riches
are
in
their
houses
and
their
righteousness
endures
forever
does
this
mean
that
those
who
fear
the
lord
will
always
be
rich
i think
we all
know
of course
not
but
generally
those
who
fear
the
lord
and
find
great
delight
in
his
commands
will
grow
wealthier
from
generation
to
generation
because
of the
way
that
god
leads
us
to
work
and
to
manage
our
money
and
to
treat
others
and
how
we
use
our
possessions
but that
doesn't
mean that
we will
never
face
ruin
or
hardship
like
job
did
let's
come
back
to
our
psalm
91
verse
10
it
says
if
you
make
the
lord
if
you
say
the
lord
is
my
refuge
if
you
make
him
your
dwelling
no
harm
will
overtake
you
no
disaster
will
come
near
your
tent
does
this
mean
that
the
person
who
makes
god
his
refuge
will
never
suffer
harm
or be
affected
by
disaster
no
this
is the
way
god
ordinarily
deals
with his
people
he protects
them from
harm
he keeps
disaster
away
from
him
it's
the
general
principle
of how
he
operates
but
again
it's
not
without
exceptions
look
at
job
look
at
joseph
look
at
the
apostles
look
at
the
prophets
so
we
need
to
read
this
as
the
kind
of
writing
that
it
is
it's
wisdom
poetry
which
tells
us
the
way
god
usually
ordinarily
deals
with
his
people
number
four
we
need
to
know
that
god
has
a
long
term
plan
he
has
a
long
term
plan
of
salvation
and
protection
for
all
his
people
for
every
child
of
his
who
suffers
harm
or
disaster
there
is
a
way
that
god
will
make
good
on
all
of
these
statements
all
of
these
will
statements
there
there's
an
ultimate
sense
in
which
for
all
his
people
the
end
of
their
stories
will
be
yes
god
did
this
for
me
he
watched
over
me
he
protected
me
he
gave
me
the
victory
over
everything
even
death
let
me show
you
what
jesus
said
on
one
occasion
to
his
disciples
this
from
the
gospel
of
luke
chapter
21
verse
16
he
was
talking
to
the
apostles
and
he
said
to
them
you
will
be
betrayed
even
by
parents
brothers
and
sisters
relatives
and
friends
and
they
will
put
some
of
you
to
death
everyone
will
hate
you
because
of
me
but
not
a
hair
of
your
head
will
perish
stand
firm
and
you
will
win
life
you
hear
that
they
will
put
some
of
you
to
death
but
not
a
hair
of
your
head
will
perish
stand
firm
and
you
will
win
life
what's
Jesus
saying
here
calamity
suffering
and
yes
even
death
at the
hands
of
enemies
will
happen
at
times
for
his
people
but
these
things
don't
win
over
his
people
not
in
the
long
term
not
in
the
ultimate
in
the
end
even
death
can't
beat
God's
people
every
hair
of
your
head
will
be
restored
will
be
given
back
to
you
how
does
it
happen
as
Jesus
said
John
6
38
this
the
lastw
day
for my Father's will
is that everyone who looks to the Son
and believes in Him
shall have eternal life
and I will raise them up
at the last day.
So this is the ultimate way
that God will keep all of these
will statements to His people.
Psalm 91 is not saying
that God's people will never suffer,
that they will never die.
It's saying that God is our protector.
He generally keeps His people
from calamity and death
throughout their lives
and when He doesn't,
He has a good and loving purpose
and one day when Jesus comes back,
He will finally undo
the effects that any sickness
or plagues had on our bodies.
He will finally undo any damage
that any enemy caused to our bodies,
whether by arrow, sword, bullet,
bomb, car accident,
He will finally bring us
to that place of triumph
over all of it.
Jesus will.
In the short term,
it may seem,
it may feel like cancer
is overtaking you.
But did it really overtake you
if by the power of Jesus
you are raised back to life
from the dead
when He returns?
So we need to read these promises
in light of God's long-term plan
of salvation and protection.
And finally,
we need to see that God's protection
doesn't always mean
being kept from calamity,
but sometimes it means
being kept through calamity.
And there's pointers to this reality
throughout the psalm.
Verse 3 says,
He will save you
from the fowler's snare.
But does that mean
that you won't even be caught in it
for a moment, ever?
Verse 5 says,
You will not fear the arrow
that flies by day,
but does that mean
that you'll never see war
or be in the midst
of a crossfire?
Verse 12 says,
God's angels will lift you up
so that you don't strike your foot
against a stone.
But does that mean
that you are never allowed
to fall from the rooftop?
Verse 13,
You will tread on the lion
and the serpent.
But does that mean
that you will never see
or face the lion
or the serpent?
Or does it only mean
that in the end
you'll have the victory
over the lion
by God's safekeeping power?
Verse 15 is perhaps
the clearest statement
of this truth.
He will call on me
and I will answer him.
I will be with him
in trouble.
I will deliver him
and honor him.
God will be with us
in trouble,
in the midst of it.
Meaning that at times,
yes, we will see
and face difficulty,
hardship,
but God is with us in it
and ultimately he will
deliver us out of it,
all of it.
Verse 16,
With long life
I will satisfy him
and show him
my salvation.
Does this mean
that God will never
allow his people
to die young?
I think we know
the answer to that
is no.
But God will keep
his promise of long life
and salvation
to all his people.
It'll just come
a little differently
than we thought.
ultimate long life,
eternal life,
resurrection
from the dead
kind of life
when Jesus returns.
So God's protection
doesn't always mean
being kept
from trouble.
Sometimes it means
being kept
through trouble.
God is faithful.
He always keeps
his promises.
He may not always
keep them
in the way
that we would expect.
But at the end
of it all,
when we look back,
we will never doubt
that he was faithful,
that he kept
his word.
We'll look back
on Psalm 91
and say yes
and amen.
That's how the Lord
treated me
all my life.
His love
never fails.
He always keeps,
always guards,
always protects
his people.
people.
The question is,
are you
one of his people?
Have you run
to him,
the one who is
the shelter,
the hiding place,
the fortress?
Have you made him
your safety,
your protector?
Maybe you're wondering,
well,
how do I do that?
Well,
he kind of tells us
all through the psalm
here,
if you're listening
closely,
in verse 2,
my God in whom
I trust.
It's about believing.
It's about putting
your trust
in him
and in the son
that he later
sent,
Jesus.
Verse 15,
we become his
by calling on him
and his promise
is that he will
answer
and so that's
simply a prayer.
Lord,
save me.
Be my refuge.
Be my God.
And his promise
is yes,
I will answer.
I will deliver you.
I will satisfy you
with long life.
I will show you
my salvation.
Verse 14,
because he loves me,
says the Lord,
I will rescue him.
Do you love
the Lord?
Do you love Jesus?
That word kind of
has a sense of
cling to in love.
Are you clinging
to the Lord Jesus?
If so,
then he is
your faithful
protector
in all things.
And it doesn't matter
what life
throws at us.
Let's drive it
all the way home.
Most of us here
don't fear
plague
or
diseases,
arrows,
snakes,
lions.
None of these
are common
in our lives today.
Maybe cancer.
But what is common?
What are those things
that we are tempted
to fear?
The Lord is my refuge
and fortress,
my savior
and protector.
We need not fear
car accidents,
cancer.
We need not fear
when the bank account
gets low
or when the vehicle
breaks down
on the side of the road.
We need not fear
getting stranded
out in the middle
of the night
in the cold,
dark winter
on the road.
We need not fear
that what happened
in the news
to someone yesterday
is going to be
happening to us today.
We need not fear
injury,
health troubles.
We need not fear
hostility
from opponents
who disagree with us,
who think badly
of us
because of our faith.
We need not fear
political persecution
or presidents
or prime ministers
who are going to
bring in policies
that are going to
make it harder
for us
to live out
our faith in Jesus.
We need not fear
that great serpent,
the devil,
or his minions.
If you say
the Lord Jesus
is my refuge
and you make
the most high
your dwelling,
no harm
will overtake you.
No disaster
will come near you.
God commands
his angels
concerning you.
He is your shield.
He will be with you
in trouble.
He will answer you
when you call
and he will show you
his great salvation.
So what's your trouble today?
What's the trouble
that you're in this week?
Is it a difficult week
of work ahead of you?
Is it that you're feeling
spent,
weary,
exhausted,
troubles with health,
not sure what to do
in a particular situation?
Is it a relationship
that's precious,
that's broken?
Call on the Lord Jesus.
He will answer.
Say of him,
he is my refuge
and my fortress,
my God
in whom I trust.
Rest in the shadow
of the Almighty.
Take refuge
under his wings.
He will never
let you down.
let's pray.
Father in heaven,
we thank you
for these
words
which give us
such courage
and confidence.
And we thank you
for Jesus,
the one
who guarantees
that all of them
are true
and are for us.
I pray that you
would dispel
all of the fear
in our lives.
All of it.
Except the fear
of you.
That we would be able
to go forth
in courage
and live
and work
and talk
and do things
with no anxiety,
no fear
of disaster
because you
are our God.
Put that deep
in our hearts.
let us
be a testimony
to the world
around us.
We ask
in Jesus' name.
Amen.