Heart Songs: Week Four | Safe and Sound (Psalm 91)Sample

He Is My Protector

In 1947, missionaries Dick and Margaret Hillis and their four children settled in the Honan province of China. Nearby, a mission church swelled with nearly one thousand Chinese people each Sunday. There was an impending war between Chiang Kai-shek and the forces of Mao Tse-tung.

One day, Nationalist Captain Hwang urgently told Mr. Hillis, "You had better take your family and flee." But it was too late. They had blown up all the railroad bridges. That evening, the Hillis family heard the first shots, and soon a battle raged around them. The city soon fell, and the streets filled with Communist troops.

Then, a new danger emerged. The Nationalist troops were lobbing shells at the rebels and one night, every shell that dropped exploded closer and closer to the Hillis' home. The house next door exploded killing the entire family, and it appeared the Hillis' home would be next. The house quaked. The children screamed and the family prepared to die. Then, the shelling abruptly stopped and the Hillis family cautiously emerged. The room was filled with debris, but no one was hurt.

As Dick tucked his children into bed, he knelt beside Margaret Anne and noticed a dirty scrap of paper stuffed under her pillow. Printed in large childish letters were these words: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). Little Margaret Anne had been resting on a big promise from a faithful God (adapted from Robert J. Morgan, Nelson's Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations & Quotes [Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000]). Even at a young age, she had learned the wisdom of the psalmist to make God her refuge.

In addition to providing shelter, deliverance, and freedom from fear, God promises to guard our lives with His heavenly hosts. The angels of God have a special charge to accompany, defend, and preserve you. Against their power, the influence of evil spirits cannot prevail. When necessary, your steps will be turned away from danger to ward it off when it comes across your path. You may never know the many times God has sheltered you from evil, but the truth remains that you and I can rest easily when we embrace this truth: He is my protector.

Read the verses below and answer the following questions:

"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 upon the lion and the cobra;

you will trample the great lion and the serpent" (Psalm 91:9-13, NIV).

Practical Observation

1. These verses begin with a condition: "If you say, 'The LORD is my refuge'…[then] no harm will overtake you." Why do you think God makes some of His promises conditional? Do you ever put conditions on your promises? Why?

a. Under what conditions are we safe from evil?

b. According to the psalm, what does God promise will not happen?

Sign: The Israelites were immune from the plagues that tormented the Egyptians while God afflicted the unrepentant to get their attention. "The blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign…. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt" (Exodus 12:13, NLT).

2. Describe what someone who is guarded by God's angels is empowered to do.

Spirits: Angels are created beings who do God's bidding, "ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation" (Hebrews 1:14, NIV). In today's passage from Psalms, the lion and cobra are positioned as strong and cunning opponents that could represent the forces of evil. "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet" (Romans 16:20, NIV).

Personal Application

a. Today we are comforted with the knowledge that God assigns His angels to guard us, protecting us from dangerous spiritual enemies (lions and cobras) and small annoyances (stones that cause us to stumble). Think of a time when you believe God's angels intervened in your life, whether in a big or small way. Thank God for His intimate involvement in the big battles and the small details of your life.

b. Psalm 91 was used by Satan to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. As Jesus continually quoted Scripture in response to temptation, Satan ultimately misquoted verses 11-12 in an attempt to trap Jesus. 

1. Read Matthew 4:5-7. What key phrase from Psalm 91 did Satan omit?

2. Why do you think the phrase Satan omitted is vital to understanding God's protection? What consequences do you think could result from believing Satan's version of verses 11-12?

In Scripture, Satan is compared to a roaring lion, a snake, and a dragon (sometimes translated serpent). As followers of Jesus, we must stand on God's Word. If we do, we'll surely be safe and sound.