Psalm 91:4 - God and His Truth Will Protect and Preserve Us.
Psalm 91:4 (NKJV) He shall cover you with
His feathers, and under His wings you shall take
refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
Psalm 91:4 (NLT) He will cover you with his
feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His
faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Psalm 91:4 (CWR) He will cover you with His
feathers and hide you under His wings. His truth
will defend and protect you.
WORD STUDY
Wings. Metaphor for the protective outreach
of God's power. [NIV SB re 17:8]
INTRODUCTION
God is our shelter and refuge... The
writer's faith in the Almighty God as Protector would
carry him through all the dangers and fears of
life. This should be a picture of our
trust--trading all our fears for faith in him, no matter
how intense our fears. To do this we must
"dwell" and "rest" with him (91:1). By entrusting
ourselves to his protection and pledging our daily
devotion to him, we will be kept safe. [Life
Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Courageous Faith
Fear is an overwhelming emotion that can
take hold of us and cause irrationality to the
point that were no longer dealing with reality.
In fact, sometimes we can be more devastated by
fear than the very thing were afraid of.
I spent part of my childhood in New
Jersey, where on one cold morning, I was walking
around the neighborhood with a newly acquired pair
of cowboy cap guns. I had on my little belt
with my holsters and guns, and I was feeling
pretty tough.
But a couple of young hoodlums spotted me
and started pushing me around. Even worse, they
confiscated my cap guns and started laughing at me. With
empty holsters, I went home crying.
Then I told my brother what happened and
asked him to help me get my guns back. He was five
years older than me and a lot bigger.
So we went back and found the guys with
my guns. Feeling great courage, I walked up and
demanded that they give my guns back. My newfound
boldness, however, didnt come from who I was but
because of who was with me.
Psalm 91:4 tells us, He shall cover
you with His feathers, and under His wings you
shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield
and buckler (NKJV).
God will put His wings around us. He will
protect us. And because of this, the psalmist is
saying, we dont have to be afraid. Why? Because
Hes with us.
In addition, verses 9 and 10 include a
promise: Because you have made the Lord, who is my
refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no
evil shall befall you (NKJV).
As we look at a frightening world, we can
have courage - not because of who we are, but
because God is with us. [Greg Laurie from Harvest
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]
COMMENTARY
My son, Addison, is my resident snuggler.
Even though he is ten, he will still crawl in bed
next to me and add his warmth to mine. As I throw
the blankets over him, he tucks his head under
my chin. His feather-soft hair tickles my face.
He falls asleep in seconds, nestled in the
crook of my arm. In that place of warmth and
safety, Addison knows he is loved and cared for.
There is something so delicious about
snuggling in with Mom and Dad, especially during the
winter months here in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The wind is whipping the trees, and rain is
pattering against the windows. But weather doesn't
matter to Addison. Storms come and go but as long
as Addison is near us, he feels safe. He knows
Scott and I are looking out for him. There is no
reason for him to worry.
Just like Addison, we all long to be safe
and loved. Jesus is the One Who offers us peace
and comfort in the harsh winter days of life.
When the days are dark, He invites us to come
close. He longs to hold us near until our pounding
hearts and worried minds are settled in the
richness of His faithfulness. He opens His arms of
protection to us, covering up our fear with His truth -
the truth that He is caring for us and guarding
us with His life. There is nothing that He
wouldn't and hasn't done on our behalf. Whatever
fears and changes life has for us, Jesus has one
plan: to keep us tucked in close to His side,
knowing that we are loved. by Susanna Foth
Aughtmon
Faith Step: Wrap yourself in a cozy
blanket and have a talk with Jesus. Feel His love
and protection surround you in this moment.
[Mornings With Jesus 2018 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
My oldest grandson, Wesley, was turning
sixteen and our large, rambunctious clan had
gathered to celebrate him. Wes ran track, had good
grades, played guitar, and was about to get his
driver's license. That last part worried me. Teen
drivers often drive too fast, and even if they know
better, they sometimes text or talk on the phone.
Wesley's parents had bought him a safe car to drive.
He'd taken drivers' education and demonstrated
good driving skills. Still, I worried. Every day
I asked Jesus to protect Wes.
Awaking with a start on Saturday night, I
looked at the clock - 11:15 p.m. Wes had a curfew
of 11:00 p.m. Was he at home? Was he safe? Fear
overtook me as I thought of all the scary things that
could happen to a new driver. Weekend nights were
especially dangerous with more impaired drivers on the
road. I got up and started to pace the floor. How
many nights had I done this when my own kids were
teenagers? I thought about calling him, but that would
have been over the top. I thought being a
grandparent was supposed to be easier than being a
parent!
There was only one thing for me to do. I
crept back into the bedroom, grabbed my Bible from
the bedside table, went into the living room,
and turned to Psalm 91, a Scripture passage of
protection. Reading Psalm 91 never failed to calm me
when I was most worried. I loved the image of
being covered with heavenly feathers and finding
refuge under those wings. I read this, my favorite
Psalm, three times. Finally, my anxiety soothed, I
was ready to go back to bed and sleep, secure in
my Lord's promise of protection for Wesley. Pat
Butler Dyson
Faith Step: Read Psalm 91 aloud when you
are feeling anxious. [Mornings With Jesus 2021
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan re 1 Peter 5:7]
QUESTION
Why compare God to a bird?
Mother birds are known for the protection
they give their young, especially beneath their
own wings. Jesus used a similar metaphor when he
longed to gather the city of Jerusalem under his
wings (Luke 13:34). The softness of a bird's
protection is balanced by the hard, solid protection of
a shield in the second half of the verse. God
provides both for his people. [Quest SB]
ILLUSTRATION
An article in National Geographic several
years ago provided a penetrating picture of God's
wings.
After a forest fire in Yellowstone
National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a
mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger
found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched
statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.
Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he
knocked over the bird with a stick. When he struck
it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their
dead mother's wings.
The loving mother, keenly aware of
impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the
base of the tree and had gathered them under her
wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke
would rise. She could have flown to safety, but
had refused to abandon her babies.
When the blaze had arrived and the heat
had scorched her small body, the mother had
remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to
die, that those under the cover of her wings
would live . . .
"He will cover you with His feathers, and
under His wings you will find refuge." Psalm 91:4
Being loved this much should make a
difference in your life. Remember the One who loves you
and then, be different because of it. [source
unknown]
CLOSING THOUGHT
My college friends and I barely escaped a
West Texas storm before it pummeled the park
where we were spending a Saturday afternoon. As we
were leaving, my buddy brought the car to a
sudden stop and gestured to a tender sight on the
ground. A mother bird sat exposed to the rain, her
wing extended over her baby who had fallen out of
the nest. The fierce storm prohibited her from
returning to the tree, so she covered her child until
the wind passed.
From how many winds is God protecting
you? His wing, at this moment, shields you. A
slanderous critic heading toward your desk is
interrupted by a phone call. A burglar en route to your
house has a flat tire. A drunk driver runs out of
gas before your car passes his. God, your
guardian, protects you from
every trap (Ps. 91:3);
the fatal plague (Ps. 91:3);
the plague that stalks in
darkness (Ps. 91:6);
the terrors of the nightthe
dangers of the day (Ps. 91:5).
One translation boldly promises:
Nothing bad will happen to you (Ps. 91:10 NCV).
Then why does it? someone erupts.
Explain my job transfer. Or the bum who called
himself my dad. Or the death of our child. If God
is our guardian, why do bad things happen to
us?
Have they? Have bad things really
happened to you? You and God may have different
definitions for the word bad.
God views your life the way you view a
movie after youve read the book. When something
bad happens, you feel the air sucked out of the
theater. Everyone else gasps at the crisis on the
screen. Not you. Why? Youve read the book. You
know how the good guy gets out of the tight spot.
God views your life with the same confidence.
Hes not only read your storyhe wrote it. His
perspective is different, and his purpose is clear.
God uses struggles to toughen our
spiritual skin.
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when
tests and challenges come at you from all sides.
You know that under pressure, your faith-life is
forced into the open and shows its true colors. So
dont try to get out of anything prematurely. Let
it do its work so you become mature and
well-developed, not deficient in any way. (James 1:2"4)
Trust him. But when I am afraid, I put
my trust in you (Ps. 56:3). Join with
Isaiah, who resolved, I will trust in him and not
be afraid (Isa. 12:2).
God is directing your steps and
delighting in every detail of your life (Ps.
37:23"24). In fact, thats his car pulling over to
the side of the road. Thats God opening the
door. And thats you climbing into the passenger
seat.
There now, dont you feel safer knowing
he is in control? [Max Lucado Daily Devotional
at maxlucado.com]
ONE LINER
He that by faith chooses God for his
protector, shall find all in him that he needs or can
desire. [Matthew Henry Commentary]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Psalm 91:4 - God's Faithfulness And Truth
Will Protect And Preserve Us.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20040921-1023.html
Psalm 91:1 - Promises with a Prerequisite.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210513-0933.html
Psalm 91:1 - Living in Gods Presence.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190724-1058.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.revelationnow.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
