Psalm 91
We are visual creatures – both men and women. Just consider how we use to give directions. Go down this road until you turn left at the McDonald’s then turn right at the dilapidated red barn. Our brains process imagery at a must faster rate than words or sounds. This is why hide and seek is such a difficult game to play in the dark! I remember how much fun it was to play that with my previous youth group – we would turn off all the lights in the church and play a giant game of hide and seek. It’s a lot easier to hide in the dark. One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 91 for the incredible imagery it paints of what it means to hide in God.
When I first started as a youth pastor, I remember thinking to myself – what am I doing? I have no ability to handle this. What kind of mess have I gotten myself into? That moment certainly wasn’t the only time that thought has crossed my mind, but it is one that stands out. I had started something. I walked into a situation that was too much for me. But God was with me. There is no safer place than to be hidden in God. His protection is way better than coming home after a long day; it is truly a covering—a security blanket.
God is Always There
Today’s passage holds 6 different references to this idea of dwelling in God. V1 talks about being HIDDEN in the shadow of the Almighty, v2 references God as a fortress and refuge, v4 describes God as a bird spreading its feathers over you for protection. V9 shows us that God is our dwelling place – we can be hidden in Him as our living space – our home, our dwelling; v14 shows us that God is someone we can grab onto and not let go of, and v15 we see the direct response of God when we call out to Him.
I love the imagery here! Whether it’s the many references to flight (v3,4,5,12), or the imagery of being fully hidden or engulfed in God—this is one of the positions where every human experiences warmth, love, and safety (remember the bed from The Santa Clause – so captivating, so comforting, so surrounding). I love how v1 gives you this picture of hiding behind God while He fights your battle for you, kind of like the dog that hides behind its owner’s leg. The imagery of Psalm 91 draws you up into a visual cavalcade of pictures that surround you with the warm fuzzies of God’s secured protection, which matters – because He is there; all the time!
God is Enough
And not only is He there, but He is in control. Proverbs 19:21 tells us that while we have many plans, it is God’s will that prevails. We have ideas, plans, or intentions and will try to start things with purpose, hope, or passion; but it’s never us who can complete it. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. As a counselor this year at camp, I was in over my head, especially in the lightning storm. I didn’t think I’d make it through those few hours, but God intervened and we made it through and the boys had a great time. We all have been stuck in the realization that we are not enough; and that’s ok!
Because God is enough. He shows that in this call and response invitation. See the repeating rhythm here. In v1-2, we see an invitation to take up residence in God’s safety. In the following verses (3-8) are the advantages you gain by doing so. This theme then repeats again with an invitation to dwell in God (v9-10) and the subsequent advantages of accepting that invitation (11-13). Hear this: we may start, but it is God who finishes! The psalm then ends with a change in POV as we hear a direct promise from God: READ Ps 91:14-16. This is God’s promise to those who hide themselves in His covering, bringing us back to the imagery of hiding in his shadow, the wingspan of a bird’s feathers, and the countless angels on guard. God is our covering; God does it – which becomes so powerful when we understand justification (we are still sinners even after conversion, but being covered by Jesus literally protects us from God’s wrath). Simply put, when we call out for God, He answers; He is enough – Rom 10:13 – EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!
Next Steps
God protects us from His own wrath with the covering He offered us in Christ, despite us sinning and falling short of God’s glory (this is the Gospel). There is no safer place than to be hidden in God.
- Cry out for God’s covering over you – whether it is His covering of forgiveness or protection over a specific situation
- Practice Waiting – He will answer – don’t be like Abraham with Hagar
- Rest in God’s covering. It is a stress relief in real-life situations. We can literally find daily relief in His presence
You are invincible until God calls you home. Read that again. There is no safer place than to be hidden in God. When my kids would be scared of storms, I would remind them that they are inside, with us, and therefore could rest in that protection. Rest in God’s protection.
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