The Lord is Our Protector, Shelter and Shepherd

by Gigi Tinsley
Special to the NNPA from The Miami Times

Our God has promised, throughout his word, he will protect us.

Psalm 91 reminds us that we who are faithfully committed to God are blessed to dwell, that is, to live, in a wonderful place of eternal security and protection. In that shelter we shall find peace in the shadow of the omnipotent God, the creator of the universe, as he works on our behalf. The real essence of this verse is found in the personal note from God in verses 14-16. What awesome promises for those who “dwell in the secret place of the most high!” You “shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

There is nothing sneaky about the place he asks us to abide in. The “secret” part of the scripture means you don’t have to worry about him telling anyone what you tell him.

Verse 2: “I will say to the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.”

Refuge is “a place of protection;” fortress is a place protected by someone or people.”

Verses 3, 4, and 5 tell us, God will “deliver” us from many things, situations and people. He will not have us afraid of the darkness nor worrying about the foes that might try to come against us during the day.

During our lifetime, if we are under his shadow, we will see thousands fall but we will not be harmed by any of the things that are taking place. We will witness a lot of things, particularly see the wicked getting their rewards.

Verse 10 tells us, “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”

Why?

Verse 11 explains: “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” Isn’t it beautiful that the angels will keep us steady on our feet?

He’s our Protector

Verse 14 says, “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him, and honor him.” Verse 16 says: “With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.”

In most instances, we want the Lord to protect us, even when we do none of his requirements. We run to him when we are in trouble and other times, we do what pleases us. That will never work.

As in anything that is successful, there are rules and regulations.

God has his rules and regulations, too.

First, if we want to build a relationship with God, we first must respect, worship and praise his son, Jesus, the Christ.

Second, we must know what the rules and regulations are in order to follow them. And, last, we must daily do all that is within our power to stay in his will.

He is our Shepherd.