G Campbell Morgan called Psalm 91 “one of the greatest possessions of the saints”.[1] So if you have your bible open to Psalm 91, see it is a taonga, a treasure, given to us by God. There is no other place in the Bible with such an accumulation of Gods promises, of his eternal protection for those who love him.

And, like all the Psalms we’ve brought you in this series, if you take on board and apply the truths and promises that lay within them, your walk with Christ in difficult times will be deeper and stronger. Let’s dig into Psalm 91 to help us do precisely that![2]

Psalm 91:1-16

You may have come here this morning and the light on your Trust-in-God tank is flashing yellow – its near empty. I’m believing you’ll be filled up, today. Psalm 91 is FULL of hope and promise, when you trust him as your refuge and shelter – the promises of Psalm 91 hinge around that condition. 

You could read Psalm 91 as if God will wrap you up in a supernatural bubble and absolutely no trouble, illness or difficult time will come your way. Is that what Psalm 91 is saying?

On January 8th, 1956, Jim Elliot was one of five missionaries speared to death in Ecuador while trying to bring the gospel to the Huaorani Indians.

His wife, Elisabeth, later wrote Shadow of the Almighty, a title drawn from Psalm 91:1. That title wasn’t a mistake—and neither was Jim’s death. While the world called it a tragic nightmare, Elisabeth saw something deeper. She wrote, “The world did not recognize the truth of Jim’s credo: ‘He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.’” She believed the refuge promised in Psalm 91 was not just for this life, but ultimately for the life to come.

Was God absent when Jim Elliot was killed? No. For reasons only God knows, he allowed that spear to fly – not for Jim’s loss, but for his eternal gain[3]. That’s how we must read Psalm 91. Not as a promise we’ll avoid difficult times, but a reminder that our ultimate safety is in God – when we trust him.

Elisabeth Elliot wanted people to think biblically about Gods promises. One crucial area is this: God doesn’t promise to do what we want him to do. God promises to do what he says he will do!

That’s important, because when difficult times hit us, our assumptions about God can result in big disappointments, with God. Satan would love for our appreciation of Psalm 91 to be twisted. How do we know that? He attempted that with Jesus. Look at Luke 4:9 …the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off!

So Satan is trying to tempt Jesus and what scripture does Satan quote? Psalm 91:11 & 12. Satan’s temptation was, “really trusting God is avoiding the pain of the cross” But Jesus didn’t fall for it. Why? Because Psalm 91 was not Jesus’ reason for avoiding suffering on the cross, it was his reason for enduring the cross. 

As Heb. 12:2 says “for the joy set before him, he endured the cross…” That “joy” was Jesus securing our eternal life, the ultimate fulfilment of Psalm 91. So trusting God doesn’t mean we avoid pain. Meaning we can say with Heb. 12 in mind “for the joy set before us, when the spears are thrown at us, we endure in this life, because of the life to come”

Let’s allow Psalm 91 to fill us up with his promises today.

GOD IS YOUR PROTECTOR, WHEN YOU TRUST HIM

Ps. 91:1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. In other words, to find rest in Gods shadow you need to live in his shelter. Which makes living in his “shelter” crucial to God protecting you[4], because God himself is our place[5] of safety and security.

Think of it this way: v.1 is not like checking into a spiritual hotel for a weekend, then leaving. God is your permanent residence. Its only when we live in him, that we have the security of his shadow[6].

Making the promise of v.1, he protects as you live in him.

Living in God means you’re in a position to make the statement in v.2…

v.2 …He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

v.2 means when God is my residence, he alone is my refuge, safety, my God and I trust him. In other words, I don’t look in other places, or to people or things, my primary trust for all things is God.

I believe v.2 teaches us the value of declaring truths out loud about trust in God. No, not name it and claim it. However, there is power in proclaiming God’s promises.

Think of Joshua 1:9 be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. 24:15 But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

Have you ever taken a promise of God and declared it out loud for days or even weeks on end, in a difficult season, to build up your faith, to anchor yourself to God? This (Bible) is a living word. Start with v.2!

There is power in proclaiming his promises and when we say it and mean it, we are placing ourselves in Gods shelter and resting in the shadow of Almighty. The promise? He protects as you trust him. And…

GOD IS YOUR PROTECTOR FOR ALL-OF-LIFE

Does God stop every form of deceit, every potential attack of Satan, every temptation? He can, but he doesn’t. The Psalm swaps between poetic and literal, v. 3 is poetic[7].

The Psalmist has in mind traps or snares used to catch unsuspecting animals, like birds. A possum trapper goes into the bush to bait traps in strategic places in the hope they step into the trap. That describes what our enemy does. He wants to see your faith destroyed. But God won’t let that happen. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 2:11 that we are “…not to be ignorant of the schemes (traps) of the enemy.”

And back in 1 Cor. 10:13 Paul says God…will not allow…temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Are there occasions you feel the enemy is setting traps for you? Are you watching for the way out God promises to provide? God not only gives us a way out of the trap, according to the last part of verse three, he protects you from deadly disease (or “pestilence” in NIV). We know Christians die of illness and terminal diseases. So what does this mean?

Webster’s Dictionary defines pestilence as “something that is destructive or pernicious”[8]

While the original meaning of v.3 includes physical threats like plagues, there is a deeper spiritual truth. The most destructive disease we face is sin.

So while God can and does protect us from traps and diseases, the ultimate protection he gives us, from evil and sin, is through the cross of Christ. 2 Cor. 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

The promise of v.3 is in the hidden or visible battles – God is our protector. The promises keep piling up…

v.4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. 

Nothing will touch me in life or in death that does not first pass through God’s hands (verse 4a). Notice Psalm 91:4 is not “on wings” it’s “under…” Picture the warmth and security of the chicks in the nest, under the wings of the nurturing love of the mother. That’s how God protects you!

Recall what Jesus said in Matt. 23:37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings….and you were not willing”

In other words, God longed to protect them—but they refused His shelter. So we need to be willing to live under Gods protection. We have no power to protect ourselves. God’s promises are your protection.  Meaning don’t make the mistake of Jerusalem! Don’t reject him! Live in his promises!

…and as we live in his promises, Vv.5-6 tell us…

v.5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. v.6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Note these verses cover an entire 24-hour period, meaning Gods protection is always there! And like v.3 the words are poetic, the intention being to capture every evil known to man, or difficult time we face.

In his book The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis writes, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world”[9]. Lewis knew that believers were not immune from pain and suffering in this world. And what he meant is that God utilizes our pain and suffering to reveal himself to us, shouting to us, “I am always here, I am your protection, do not fear”

When you think about it why do we fear? Because we can’t control the unknown. But fear robs us of so much of the joy Christ wants us to live with. Its why Paul said God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Tim. 1:7). And Isa. 41:10 says do not fear, for I am with you[10].

Living in the truth that 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, God has everything under control, eliminates fear. So it makes sense that the promise of Vv.5-6 is? He protects us from fear

Not only is Gods protection for all-of-life…

…GOD’S PROTECTION IS PERSONAL TO YOU

Vv.7-10 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. 

…and the reason the Psalmist paints this picture, in the most serious and stark terms is to make clear there is nothing that can be so painful or dire for us that it will ever separate us from God. This is so important for Christians, because when we are at our most desperate God can feel so distant. But actually he’s right there. You’re under his wing!

Remember Paul asked the question in Rom. 8 (NIV) ^(v.35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? …trouble, hardship…danger or sword?... ^(v.38) …death nor life… (nothing) in all creation, separates us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord[11]. That’s the message of Vv. 7-10

Any evil, trouble or hardship that can EVER happen to us, EVER, is temporary. It’s fleeting! Its effect on us is limited to this life, NOT the next!

Psalm 91’s promises are not naïve, wishful thinking. No! They’re real![12] God knows the state of the world. It’s his world. Furthermore, he has every detail of the remainder of your life in hand. Evil is there, lurking. Disease is there. Difficult times are there.  But the reality of them need not destroy our faith.

Do we have the courage to believe that God means what he promises in Psalm 91?

Stand firm in your faith, not blindly or naively, but because you trust God. And you trust that nothing…nothing, separates you from his love.

The promise of Vv.7-10? He protects you in life and death

GOD’S PROTECTION IS SUPERNATURAL

Do we believe in the angelic supernatural protection of God? Psalm 91 says we should! Vv. 11 & 12 promise that wherever you go, angels will supernaturally hold you up, even in the smallest of matters, like stubbing our toe!

We may only realise in heaven how often angels stepped in, on our behalf. I’m sure some of us could recall times we escaped tragedy, with no natural explanation. Scripture says it is possible “to entertain angels without knowing it” as it says in Heb. 13:2.

Psalm 91:13 paints a vivid picture: “You will trample upon lions and cobras… crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!” God’s protection extends from minor incidents to fierce spiritual attacks.

The message is clear: Gods power, is greater than any power of the enemy! Jesus said as much in Luke 10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you.

And James 4:7 gives us a strategy: Submit yourselves, then, to God (i.e. make the Lord your refuge). Resist the devil, and he will flee from you[13].

Christians have been given authority over the enemy. And Gods angels assist as we walk in that authority.

Evil is not hard to spot todays world! Satan still roams, seeking whom he might devour (1 Peter 5:8). As J. C. Ryle warned, do we suppose, that because Satan is not so glaringly manifest as he once was, that he is less active in doing mischief than he used to be?[14] Think again!

But here’s the hope: Satan has power, but Jesus has greater power. We can live with confidence in God’s promises, knowing his angels are at our side.

GOD’S PERSONAL PROTECTION FOR YOU

Up to this point the Psalmist has been speaking, but in Vv.14-16 God himself speaks – bringing all the promises of Psalm 91 together in an amazing finale!

This matters deeply. Our safety is only as secure as the One who guarantees it. When you buy a car, a phone, or an appliance, you want a guarantee— you want the confidence of knowing the business will stand by their product. But those are impersonal and expire.

Vv.14-16 gives you the universes most personal unlimited, unbreakable guarantee, EVER, of Gods protection! His promises (hold up bible) aren’t buried in fine print, they’re abundantly clear!

Let’s sum them up, like this:

• We love God – he rescues
• We trust God – he protects
• When called on – God answers
• When called on – God’s with us in trouble 
• When called on – God rescues and honours 

There’s five promises of God piled up for you, and we haven’t covered v.16 yet! But notice something: these promises are responses to our moves of faith. It starts with love, trust, and calling on God. Without what, is it impossible to please God? Faith. Your move of faith activates the promises of God.

Here was Pauls move of faith (Phil. 3:13-14) …Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Let’s be honest, what stops us[15] moving forward – straining and pressing on – into Gods promises? Fear, lack of trust? I’m so thankful God is not limited by my weakness and what I think is impossible[16].

Promises are already piled up, but here’s the finale of Psalm 91, God says (v.16) I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.

Poetry, not prescription. This isn’t a promise you’ll live to 100 or beyond. It means that in Jesus Christ, the life God gives us is full, meaningful and under his protection – long or short. What matters isn’t the duration, but the promised reward: salvation.

As Paul reminds us in Eph. 2:4-5, 8-9 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions…For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

That’s the reward![17] That’s the promise – when you trust him. What do you do with that in front of you? Is your light still flashing yellow meaning you’re driving on empty? Or will you fill up on the only refuge strong enough to carry you; God himself?

I want to invite you to declare with me the words of Psalm 91:2:

“This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place

[1] Real Life Church: Ankeny, IA > Psalm 91 – Living In the Shadow 

[2] Matthew Henry said the message of Psalm 91 is that all who live a life of close communion with God are constantly safe under his protection and may therefore live in security and peace of mind at all times.[2]

[3] Jim gave up his earthly life, but gained Christ.

[4] John 15:9 helps us: “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love – I see this is as similar to living in Gods shelter.

[5] Our home, or our residence…

[6] After all, to be in someone’s shadow you need to be standing close by, right?! The same is true with God. It’s going to be difficult to be in his shadow if we’re not walking near him, at his feet.

[7] This Psalm, like many others, uses poetic imagery—it’s not meant to be a literal checklist of physical guarantees but a spiritual reality of God’s constant presence.

[8] PESTILENCE Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster.   Pernicious = malicious or evil.

[9] https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/article/a-severe-mercy/?queryID=521276dadb4a32b6dc4e7002e48acec7  

[10] And Jesus said in Matt. 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

[11] 2 Cor. 12:8-10 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

[12] In the next few days if we find ourselves complaining about something…remember this word: mercy. Remember this word: grace!

[13] You might say  “I’m under spiritual attack” Well, the question to ask yourself is: “have I resisted the Devil?”

[14] J. C. Ryle (Expository Thoughts on the Gospels [Baker], 3:17, on Luke 11:14-20)

[15] What prohibits us?

[16] Isaiah 43:2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

[17] This is God, putting the paddles on your dead heart – destined to a life of darkness – and bringing you back to life again filling you with hope, placing you under his wing and giving you eternal life!