Central thought: Safety is of the Lord, and deliverance is His reward.
Hymn: Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah
Text: Psalm 91:1-6
Introduction:
Since the fall of man in the garden of Eden, the human race has been gripped by fear and insecurity. This resulted from the sin of Adam and Eve. Nations of the world are all facing the problem of insecurity both internally and externally. The fear of the unknown has driven man to seek help for security from sources that cannot provide true security and freedom from danger. Nations have gone into alliance with other nations so that they could assist them to defend their territorial integrity. Communities have formed vigilante groups to guard communities as a result of fear of armed robbery, kidnapping etc. Individuals have engaged the services of night guards and guard dogs, but in spite of all these, there is still no guarantee for protection from dangers. In this study, we shall be looking at God’s provisions for our freedom from fear and danger.
Lesson Objectives:
This study aims at helping the believer to:
- Understand what Divine protection is.
- Know man’s effort towards protecting himself.
- Know some of the dangers God can protect us from.
- Understand what is meant by “the secret place of the Most High”
- Understand how we can break the grip of fear in our lives
- Know what God has put in place to ensure our protection
Question 1.a) What do you understand by “Divine Protection”?
The word “divine” stands for something that belongs to, or produced by God; in other words an identity of God. “Protection” means to keep something or someone safe from attack, harm or injury. It also means to defend. When we talk about “Divine Protection”, we are inferring the protection that comes from or provided by God.
Question 1.b) Identify some of the dangers the Lord can protect us from.
We are surrounded by so many dangers, but God has promised to protect or deliver us from them all. We can identify some of them as follows
- The snares of the fowler and noisesome pestilence (Psalm 91:3)
- Evil or any form of plague (Psalm 91:10)
- Sicknesses and diseases (Exodus 15:26)
- Harm or any form of hurt (Mark 16:18)
- Flames of fire and the calamity of drowning in the waters (Isaiah 43:2)
- The hands of our enemies (Psalm 41:2)
- Powers of the wild beasts (Daniel 6:27)
There is no danger the Lord cannot protect us from, even when we are not aware of them. He already made provision for our protection. It is His mercy and grace that keep us, not because of who we are or what we have done. If God will open our eyes to see the many dangers that we come across in our daily walk with Him, we will not fail but continue to give Him praises all day long.
Question 2.a) Highlight some measures that man always locally put in place to ensure protection.
Man in his ignorance of God’s provision thought that he could secure his own protection and freedom by himself. He therefore set idols which he call gods for his protection. In addition. Man began to acquire all sorts of weapon of defense, putting up high fences around his abode to prevent unwanted visitors. Also man made bulletproof doors and garments to protect himself from attacks. He engages the services of security guards and guard dogs, acquire fireams and armed escorts. In all these, no effort of man could guarantee his security or protection. “Safety is of the Lord”.
Question 2.b) What should be the Christians attitude towards these measures?
The Christian should understand that his/her life is a gift from God and only God can protect it, David said “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses but we will remember the name of the Lord our God” Psalm 20:7. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity, He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to Him (Proverbs 2:7-8). God said to Abram in Genesis 15:1, “Fear not, I am thy shield….. I will protect you” In 2 Samuel 22:3, David said “The God of my rock, in Him will I trust, He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my high tower and my refuge, my savior; thou savest me from violence”. David knew that the true might of his nation was not in the sophistication of his weapons, but in worship, not in fire power, but in God’s power. God alone can preserve a nation or an individual. The Christian should be sure that his/her confidence is not in the arm of the flesh, but in God who alone can save/deliver those who trust in Him.
Question 3.a) What do you understand by “The secret place of the most High”?
A secret place can be referred to as a place that is not known or seen by others; a secluded place that may not be accessible to many people. The secret place of the Most High therefore, is a place where a believer can always meet God one on one. David made this secret place his dwelling place, leaving us as believers, an example, so we can form a habit of being in the presence of God alone, where we can discuss our personal matters that trouble our hearts. The secret place of the Most High is a place one can access God’s mind on any issue in one’s life.
Question 3.b) How can one make the Lord his dwelling place?
Jesus declared “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me…” John 14:11. In other words, He is dwelling in the Father. This explains to what He meant when He said “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me…” John 4:34. In Matthew 26:39, He said, in His prayer “… nevertheless not my will but as thou (God) wilt.” In Hebrews 10:9, He said “Lo I come to do Thy will O God…” We can now understand why Christ declared that he dwells in the Father. For a believer to make the Lord his dwelling place, he must like Christ, resolve to, and truly do the will of the Lord in all conditions of his life, and in all places where he may be found: totally and completely depending on God for direction, instruction and leadership and also willingly obeying and doing the counsel of God.
Question 4.a) Can one be afraid and still trust in God?
Fear is not of God; as scripture emphatically enjoins us to “fear not”. 1 John 4:18 indicates that fear has torment. The scripture says “Without faith it is impossible to please God” Faith is absolute trust in God and any one who does not walk by faith cannot trust God. As believers we need not fear “For God has not given us the Spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). By the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, the believer is given the boldness and access, with confidence through faith in Him, (Ephesians 3:11-12) so he should not succumb to fear or be held in bondage by it.
Question 4.b) What can we do to break the grip of fear in our lives?
1 John 4:16-18 gives us the antidote to getting rid of fear and its grip. From this we understand that God is love and whosever dwells in love dwells in God and God in him. As we live in God, our love grows more perfect and that gives us boldness in the face of every fearful circumstance. We know that there is no fear in love, for perfect love cases out fear. Therefore we can break the grip of fear when we live in love with one another. When we dwell in God, we will not succumb to fear. We must constantly remind ourselves of the fact that God loves us and that will remove our fears and give us confidence to face the challenges that may come our way. Having known this, we must go ahead to practically demonstrate this love in the church, in our neighborhood and where ever we operate.
Question 5.a) Is the security of the believer conditional or unconditional?
God cannot do anything unless it conforms to His will; therefore His will stands as a condition that should be met before he does anything. It is obvious then, that the security of the believer is conditional. We can easily notice that the blessings God promised in Deuteronomy 28:1-14, which we always claim, are based on a condition…. “If you shall hearken—- to observe and to do all His commandments”. The prosperity and good success promised in Joshua 1:8 depends on the condition that “the book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written”. Scripture in Psalm 91 clearly says “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”. Such one is to trust in the Lord, fear Him, and depend absolutely on the ability of God to keep Him. If we can seek to fulfill the conditions attached to what we desire, it will be ours because of God’s faithfulness.
Question 5.b) What has God put in place to ensure our protection?
God has put so many things in place for the protection of those who love Him.
- His “Eyes” watches over us to show Himself strong on our behalf (2 Chronicles 16:9).
- He makes a “hedge” around us to prevent the enemy from reaching us (Job 1:10).
- His “Angels” encamp around our dwellings and deliver us from any attack (Psalm 34:7).
- The “Host of heaven” is with us (2 Kings 6:16).
- He “covers us with His wings” to ensure that our enemies do not see us (Psalm 91:4).
- He “hides us in himself (Colossians 3:3)
Daily Living Application
One big problem facing our generation today is insecurity. Fear and panic has gripped the entire citizenry. But the believer should not allow himself to be swept off balance- like the unbeliever, because the God whom He serves is the owner and the keeper of all creation. He has not left us in doubt about His love towards us and has encouraged us neither to be fearful, nor worry, even if the entire world is turning upside done; for He is with us and will never forsake us (Deuteronomy 31: 6,8). We should therefore ensure that we do not detach ourselves from Him.
Memory Verse: Psalm 91:1
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”
Daily Devotional Guide
Monday: God, our refuge.
Psalm 17:7-9, Deuteronomy 33:22-29, 2 Samuel 22:3-4
Tuesday: Divine Protection.
Isaiah 41:10-12, Daniel 6:19-22, Daniel 3:23-25
Wednesday: Fear not.
Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Deuteronomy 20:3-4, Deuteronomy 1:29-30
Thursday: Sure foundation.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11, Matthew 16:16-18, Ephesians 2:20-22
Friday: Trust in the Lord.
Psalm 62:8-9, Proverbs 3:5-6, Ephesians 2:20-22, Psalm 115:11-15, Psalm 37:1-6
Saturday: Victory assured
John 16:33, Genesis 49:19, 1 John 4:4; 5:4-5