Sermonette FINAL 06/04/25

Prayer of Preparation

Good morning, my FATHER GOD. Good morning, my LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. Good morning, HOLY SPIRIT—my Comforter, my Counselor, my ever-present Helper.

Each day—whether spoken aloud, woven into my actions, displayed in my body, or breathed in the quiet chambers of my soul and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23)—I praise and honor YOU, my GOD.

When the disciples asked JESUS how to pray, HE began with holy reverence, teaching them to approach YOU as FATHER and to hallow YOUR NAME: “Our FATHER in Heaven, hallowed (kept HOLY) be YOUR NAME” (Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:2).

And so, before I lift my voice in worship, I pause with intention—quieting the noise within, setting aside every distraction—whether trials or pleasures (Psalm 55:17)—and turn my focus away from the worries and situations that swirl around me. I come before YOU and enter YOUR presence with reverence and stillness.

Today, like David, I call my soul to attention—stirring it to turn inward, to praise, to remember, and to stand in awe of YOU. I “BLESS (AFFECTIONATELY, gratefully praise) the LORD, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless YOUR HOLY NAME! Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the LORD, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all HIS benefits—HE forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, HE heals [each one of] all your diseases, HE redeems your life from the pit and corruption, HE beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercy; HE fills your life with good things” (Psalm 103:1–4).

When GOD created me, HE created someone who loves to do research and find answers.

Before the internet, I was the person digging through libraries—searching, reading, looking through books, newspapers, and articles—always desiring to know more about everything, but especially about the Bible.

I’ve always been curious. I’ve always wanted to understand what the Scriptures are saying—both in the words and behind the words.

And with the internet now, it's like having millions of libraries at my fingertips. My curiosity hasn’t gone away—it’s only grown stronger. And now I have more tools to explore the Bible and study what others have said about it through history.

But even with all these resources—Bible dictionaries, commentaries, websites, and study tools—there are still times when I come up empty.

Even after hours of study, even when I’ve dug deep, there are still questions I can’t answer.

And that’s when I’ve learned something important:

When the Bible is silent, it’s okay for us to be silent too—and simply trust GOD.

So, what do we know about Psalm 91?

Some people call it the “Soldier’s Psalm.”

It has often been read or prayed by those going into danger, especially during times of war or crisis.

Throughout history, Psalm 91 has been associated with divine protection, victory, and strength.

In fact, Catholic liturgies—which are holy rhythms of worship rooted in Scripture and centered on Jesus—have included blessings from Psalm 91 for Crusaders heading into battle.

This psalm has been cherished by soldiers during the American Civil War, both World Wars, and even today.

I’m sure many Christian families have sent loved ones off to war or deployment with Psalm 91 on their lips—spoken in prayer or tucked into a pocket on paper.

It’s more than a passage. It’s a lifeline. And maybe someone listening today can relate to that kind of trust—when you had to send someone you loved into the unknown, and you clung to God’s Word for strength.

But there’s also something else to consider.

Some Bible scholars say that Psalm 91 isn’t just about physical protection—they believe it holds spiritual meaning for believers in Christ.

They see it as a prophecy that points to JESUS—especially verse 13, where it says:

“You will tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.”

These scholars believe this refers to JESUS defeating our spiritual enemies—sin, death, and Satan—through His resurrection.

Understanding Spiritual Battles and the Armor of God

We know life isn’t always easy. As believers, we face battles—physical and spiritual. JESUS told us this plainly:

JESUS told us, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] (John 16:33)”.

Thankfully, God doesn’t leave us unprepared. He inspired the Apostle Paul to show us how to be equipped for these daily battles. In Ephesians 6:11–19, Paul explains the armor of God—a full set of spiritual gear designed to help us stand strong against anything the enemy throws our way.

Let’s walk through each piece of God’s armor—each one designed to help us stand strong in spiritual battle.

The belt of truth –

This is the first part of the armor listed, and for good reason. Without truth, we are lost.

The schemes of the devil can easily confuse or overpower us when we’re not grounded in what’s real.

So wrap your life in God’s truth. Let it hold everything else in place.

When truth surrounds you, Satan’s lies won’t stick.

The breastplate of righteousness –

This breastplate was purchased for us by JESUS. It covers your heart—your most vulnerable place.

Seek GOD and HIS righteousness above everything else.

Wearing this breastplate isn’t just about knowing what’s right—it’s about living it.

It’s a lifestyle that practices what we believe, day by day.

The shoes of peace from the Good News –

The gospel provides the firm footing for everything we do.

Think about it: however strong your body may be, if your feet are wounded—you can’t move. You become an easy target.

So we must stay prepared. Stay flexible. Stay ready.

Peace isn’t passive—it’s powerful. It helps us stand steady when the ground is shaking.

The shield of faith –

Faith is what blocks the enemy’s attacks—especially the invisible ones.

Satan hurls thoughts, feelings, fears, doubts, and lies like fiery darts.

But when your trust is in God, those darts won’t land.

Faith doesn’t stop the battle—it stops the damage.

The helmet of salvation –

A soldier’s helmet protects the head. Spiritually, it guards your mind.

One of Satan’s most dangerous weapons is discouragement—the whisper that says, “You’re not enough.”

But the helmet of salvation reminds you: You belong to God.

You’re saved. And you’re being saved. And the victory already belongs to JESUS.

When you put on this helmet, it’s hard to stay discouraged.

The sword of the Spirit –

This is GOD’s WORD—your weapon of truth and victory.

But let’s be clear: the Bible is not some magical book that grants wishes when quoted.

It is powerful because it is TRUE.

The Holy Spirit uses Scripture to cut through deception and remind us who we are, what we believe, and where our strength comes from.

And then Paul says... “Pray.”

Not just occasionally. Not just when things go wrong.

But pray at all times—on every occasion, in every season.

Pray in the Spirit. Stay alert. Keep watching. Keep interceding for one another.

(Ephesians 6:18 says: “Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty... keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding on behalf of all the saints.”)

The Power of Psalm 91

Now that we know how to suit up for battle, let’s look at what Psalm 91 says about God’s promises for those who dwell in His presence.

Psalm 91 is filled with poetic images—also called metaphors. A metaphor compares something we can’t see to something we understand. For example, God is called a 'fortress'—not because He’s made of stone, but because He protects like one.

PROMISE #1: GOD is Our Protection (Psalm 91:1–3)

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High…”

This verse opens with a word picture that would have been very familiar to people in the Old Testament.

It points to the tabernacle—the sacred tent God instructed Moses to build in the wilderness.

Inside that tabernacle was a hidden room, called the Most Holy Place. It was a physical space, not just symbolic.

No one could enter it except the high priest—and even then, only once a year—because it represented the very presence of God.

So when Psalm 91 speaks of the “secret place of the Most High,”

it’s not just talking about a hiding spot—it’s painting a picture of intimate nearness to God.

It’s the safety and closeness of being right in the center of where HE dwells.

Let’s pause and look at the metaphors in these verses.

They help us imagine what it feels like to live under God’s protection:

🔹 “Secret place of the Most High”

This is a metaphor for God’s presence—a special and safe space that isn’t visible or physical, but it is very real.

It’s like a quiet, hidden shelter in your soul.

A place where you go to be close to God—far from the noise, pressure, and danger of the world.

🔹 “Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”

This gives us a picture of being tucked beneath God’s protection—like standing in the shadow of something strong and near.

A shadow means He’s close.

Just like a child stays in the shadow of a loving parent for safety and comfort, we stay near God for peace and covering.

🔹 “Refuge” and “Fortress”

These words remind us that God isn’t just nearby—He’s strong.

A refuge is a place you run to when life is falling apart.

A fortress is a structure that holds firm when the battle is raging.

When life is hard, scary, or uncertain—you can run to God.

He becomes your shield, your wall, your safe place.

🔹 “Snare of the fowler”

A fowler is someone who sets traps to catch birds—quietly, patiently, and sometimes invisibly.

This metaphor speaks to hidden dangers—those traps that the enemy sets for us when we least expect it.

But the promise here is clear:

God will rescue you from what was meant to harm you—whether you saw it coming or not.

So then—what is this holy secret place?

It’s not only a place of protection from life’s troubles.

It’s a place of comfort, when your heart is weary.

A place of communion, where you meet with God in stillness.

A place of contemplation, where you reflect on His Word and listen for His voice.

And a place of divine companionship—where you are never alone, because the Almighty is near.

Think back to those secret hiding places we used to enjoy as children—tucked away, quiet, safe, and our own.

God has a secret place too—and He invites each of us to meet Him there.

But here’s the question:

Is this “secret hiding place” something we visit from time to time—just when we’re in trouble?  No.

God is inviting us to change our spiritual address.

He doesn’t want weekend visitors—He wants full-time residents.

He says, “Come. Move in. Make this your permanent home.”

Because when you dwell in the secret place of the Most High,

you don’t just survive life’s storms—you are kept, covered, and held.

What must we do to live permanently in GOD’s secret hiding place?

Yes—we must do something.

Even though we are saved, it’s not automatic.

Living in God’s secret place takes intention. It takes action. It requires our participation.

We must learn to set aside special time, day or night, to be alone with GOD.

To commune with Him. To listen. To be still.

Not rushed. Not multitasking. But present—heart and mind.

We must also learn to surrender distractions.

Not just the obvious ones, but the ones that come quietly—

wrapped in familiar voices, urgent needs, text messages, family demands, or the weight of other people’s expectations.

And not just theirs—our own expectations can weigh us down too.

Some burdens are placed on us by others.

But let’s be honest—some we carry ourselves,

driven by the pressure to meet the world’s standards or to earn someone’s approval.

We, as believers, must remember the warning Paul gave the church in Corinth:

“Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!” (2 Corinthians 10:12)

It is unwise to compare. God never asked us to compete with each other—only to walk with Him in honesty.

That leads to another important truth:

We must be transparent and honest with GOD.

Because here’s the reality: HE already knows.

He knew us before we were born.

He sees every detail of our lives.

There are no secret sins with GOD. Nothing is hidden from Him.

JESUS, YOU said that everything hidden will eventually be brought into the open and every secret will be brought to light (Mark 4:22).

We know that even our secret sins are spread out before YOU, and YOU see them all (Psalm 90:8; I John 1:9).

“For the time is coming,” YOU said, “when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all” (Matthew 10:26; Luke 12:2).

“Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!” (Luke 12:3).

FATHER GOD, Nothing in all creation is hidden from YOU. Everything is naked and exposed before YOUR eyes, and we are accountable to YOU (Hebrews 4:13).

Let me share a memory.

When my son was a child, I used to teach him this truth.

I’d say, “I might not see what you're doing or saying. Your father might not see. But—Who sees?”

And he would answer, “God sees.”

Yes, GOD sees.

That’s why we can’t dwell in His secret place unless we are willing to be real with Him.

No pretending. No hiding. No performance.

God doesn’t want our polish—He wants our honesty.

And when we bring Him our full selves, He covers us with His full protection.

Psalm 91:4 says,

“Then He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge…”

This is the image of a bird—like a mother bird—spreading her wings over her young to protect them from danger, rain, or predators.

“Pinions” are the outer feathers on a bird’s wing—the strong ones used for flying, but also for sheltering.

So when God covers you with His pinions, it means He pulls you close—

shielding you like a loving parent: gentle, strong, and always watchful.

Just like baby birds feel safe and warm under their mother’s wings,

you can trust God to protect, cover, and hold you close—even when life feels uncertain.

Then the verse continues:

“His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.”

A shield is used to block big attacks.

A buckler is a smaller, round shield held close to the body for quick, close-range defense.

This means God’s promises and His faithfulness surround you—

guarding you from all sides, whether the danger is obvious or comes without warning.

So—God is like a mother bird who shelters you with love,

and like a warrior who surrounds you with truth and strength.

You are not exposed.

You are not forgotten.

You are covered—completely.

🕊 Now What Does That Protection Cover Us From?

Psalm 91 doesn’t just tell us that God protects—

it tells us what His protection guards us against.

Psalm 91:5–8 says:

“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.”

When you live under God’s covering, you don’t have to be afraid—whether it’s day or night.

Not of the terrors that creep in during the dark,

when everything feels uncertain.

Not of the arrows that fly by day—those attacks, threats, or sudden bad news that catch you off guard.

Not of the diseases that spread silently, or the destruction that strikes without warning.

Even when thousands fall beside you, and even more around you—

you are not alone and you are not forgotten.

God’s protection will hold you steady.

You’ll see the consequences that come to those who reject God’s ways,

but you will be a witness—not a victim—because the Lord is your shield.

Let’s remember:

These promises don’t mean we’ll escape all trouble—but they do give us something powerful:

an expectation of the Lord’s goodness, even in the middle of the storm.

PROMISE #2: God Sends His Protective Angels (Psalm 91:9–13)

These verses bring us back to our responsibility.

Before we can claim the promise, we must meet the condition.

“Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place…”

Because you’ve chosen to stay close to Him,

Because you’ve decided to trust in His presence...

Then comes the promise:

“No harm will overtake you.”

The world around you may shake, but God’s hand will hold you steady.

And more than that—He sends help.

“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.”

God’s angels are not just heavenly beings in the clouds—they are divine protectors sent to act on your behalf.

They lift. They guide. They guard.

Sometimes in ways you can see, and often in ways you can’t.

But we must also be aware: The enemy knows these Scriptures too.

Satan is the father of lies and the ultimate deceiver.

When JESUS was being tempted in the wilderness, Satan twisted this very passage—Psalm 91:11–12.

He took JESUS to the highest point of the temple in Jerusalem and said:

“If You are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,

‘He will order His angels to protect You.

And they will hold You up with their hands so You won’t even hurt Your foot on a stone.’”

(Matthew 4:5–6)

Satan quoted Psalm 91—but he left out part of the verse.

He misused God’s Word, trying to tempt JESUS to prove Himself.

But JESUS didn’t fall for it.

He responded with truth, saying:

“The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’”

(Matthew 4:7, quoting Deuteronomy 6:16)

Jesus didn’t argue. He didn’t panic.

He simply responded with the Word—accurately, confidently, and with authority.

So if JESUS used GOD’S WORD to confront Satan—

What do you think we should be doing?

What happens when we don’t know the Word?

Or when it’s not planted deep in our hearts?

That’s when we become vulnerable—not because God isn’t faithful,

but because we aren’t armed with truth.

That’s why we must dwell in God’s presence and know His Word.

When we do, we can move through life with boldness, not fear.

“You will tread on lions and snakes…”

These are symbols of deadly threats—the things meant to destroy you.

But under God’s covering, they will not overcome you.

You won’t be walking alone—you’ll be walking in strength, in truth, and with divine protection on every side.

PROMISE #3: Eight Blessings and Eight Verbs of Protection

(Psalm 91:14–16)

Psalm 91 ends with a beautiful shift—God Himself begins to speak.

To the one who loves Him, who trusts Him, and who chooses to dwell with Him,

God gives eight personal promises—each one full of power and protection:

“I will deliver him” – God promises to rescue you from harm and danger.

“I will set him on high” – He will lift you above the reach of harm, placing you in a position of safety and honor.

“I will answer him” – When you pray, God will respond. You are not ignored.

“I will be with him in trouble” – Even in your darkest hours, God promises to be present.

“I will deliver him” (again) – This second mention shows just how committed God is to saving you.

“I will honor him” – God will lift you up, bless you, and crown you with dignity and favor.

“With long life I will satisfy him” – He offers not just long life, but a full and meaningful one.

“I will show him My salvation” – This includes God’s help, His healing, His deliverance, and His eternal life.

These are not vague blessings. These are clear, personal promises spoken from the heart of GOD to the heart that loves Him.

🙏🏾 SERMONETTE CLOSING

God’s power in you is greater than the danger around you.

But here’s the truth—we must choose to dwell with Him.

You might be thinking:

“What do you mean? I go to church regularly. I attend Bible study sometimes. I get on the prayer line when I can.”

But, brothers and sisters, let’s be clear:

Satan does not care if you go to church.

He is not upset if you attend Bible study now and then.

He is not worried if you get on the prayer line from time to time.

He doesn’t mind religious activity—as long as it stays shallow.

What Satan fears is a believer who truly dwells in the secret place of the Most High.

A believer who is rooted in God’s Word,

Clothed in God’s armor,

And led by God’s Spirit.

That kind of believer is dangerous to the kingdom of darkness.

That kind of believer can’t be easily shaken.

So I ask you today, gently but honestly:

Have you made GOD’s secret place your permanent residence?

Do you put on GOD’s armor every day—not just when the battle gets hard?

Do you know His Word—not just in your head, but planted deep in your heart, where it can grow?

Do you spend time with Him consistently—not perfectly, but sincerely?

And when GOD speaks… do you obey?

Because Psalm 91 is not just a beautiful chapter.

It’s a covenant—a promise with conditions.

If we want God’s covering, we must accept His call to dwell.

Yes, we all want God’s blessings.

Yes, we all want God’s protection.

So I ask you this, from my heart:

God has invited us to dwell with Him—not just visit, but stay.

To live in His secret place, to walk in His covering, and to trust in His presence.

Have we truly responded to that invitation?