Security in the Lord

Introduction: The world in which we live provides frequent instances in which we may feel worried or afraid. We may need protection and we may not know where to look. Psalm 91 offers us an encouraging picture of the Lord our God who gives us not only protection, but salvation.

1. The Lord protects the Psalmist (1-2)

IF you dwell in the shelter of the Most High, THEN you will abide in the shadow of the Almighty

The author acknowledges the Lord’s protection

You are my refuge and my fortress

You are my God, in whom I trust

2. What does the Lord’s protection look like? (3-8)

The Lord delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence [PRESENT]

The Lord will cover you with His pinions; under His wings you may seek refuge [FUTURE]

The Lord’s faithfulness is a shield and bulwark [PRESENT]

You will not be afraid [FUTURE]:

of the terror by night

of the arrow that flies by day

of the pestilence that stalks in the darkness

of the destruction that lays waste at noon

“Most of these dangers are of a kind which strike unseen, against which the strong are as helpless as the weak. Some, like the snare of the fowler (3), are obviously metaphors for the plots which would entangle our affairs (140:1–5) or compromise our loyalty (119:110). Others are ills that attack the mind (5a) or the body, by human or non-human agency (5b, 6)” (Kidner, 364).

Despite those who are afflicted around you, you will be protected [FUTURE]

a thousand may fall at your side

ten thousand may fall at your right hand

it shall not approach you

You will observe the punishment of the wicked

3. The Lord protects the Believer (9-10)

BECAUSE you have made the Lord your refuge

BECAUSE you have made the Most High your dwelling place

No evil will befall you

No plague will come near your tent

This does not mean nothing bad will ever happen to the believer. “What it does assure us is that nothing can touch God’s servant but by God’s leave; equally (8) that no rebel can escape his retribution” (Kidner, 365).

4. What does the Lord’s protection look like? (11-13)

The Lord will send His angels to guard you in all your ways

The angels will bear you up in their hands lest you strike your foot against a stone

You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample down the young lion and the serpent

“In life the Lord may permit many terrible things to happen to his children (cf. Job), as he did to his own Son, our Lord. But his children know that no power is out of God’s control. They trust their heavenly Father, while they act responsibly. Hence they do not test the Lord to see to what extent he will deliver them from troubles. Satan tempted our Lord to act presumptuously, but Jesus rebuked Satan, rightly responding that man may not test the Lord (cf. Luke 4:10-12)” (VanGemeren, 601).

5. The Lord provides salvation (14-16)

The speaker changes to the Divine first person; the Lord is speaking

BECAUSE he has loved Me, THEREFORE I will deliver him

BECAUSE he has known My name, THEREFORE I will set him securely on high

He will call upon Me and I will answer him

I will be with him in trouble

I will rescue him and honor him

I will satisfy him with a long life

I will let him see My salvation

Conclusion: There is no one like our God. He protects and He saves. He is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise.