Subject – TAKE COVER!
Text – Psalm 91:1-10 (KJV)
INTRODUCTION –
I need not remind you of all the death, destruction, and devastation that are happening all around us and all over the world. Cities as well as countries are being overrun by those who would kill and rule over the people who live there. Fires, Floods, and Famines seem to be happening everywhere. Volcanic eruptions and Earthquakes are taking place in record numbers.
The cries of many people have been: “TAKE COVER!” This sounds like the sensible thing and wise advice. But there is just one problem . . . Where can a person take cover from all of these catastrophic occurrences?
Everyone wants to be able to find a place where they can feel safe from whatever it is that frightens them. But when it seems like anyplace you could possibly go is also in the danger zone, the question you probably ask is: “where can I TAKE COVER?”
Let us see if we can find an answer in the scriptures for those who are facing some of the aforementioned catastrophes.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. These children, like Paul says, were persuaded that they were safe and secure. This enabled them to put their trust in me.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. (There are people in the world who go around lying in wait with all types of traps to ensnare those who are unsuspecting.)
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
(Just like a mother hen covers her chicks under her wings with her feathers, the LORD covers His children and allows them to take cover with Him.)
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
(Knowing that you took cover under the protection of the LORD will remove ALL fear).
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
(There will be many people falling around you, but because you are taking cover under the protection of the LORD, you have the word of the Lord that it will not come near you.)
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
(It might seem to be a horrible prospect to know that you will witness the devastation of so many people, and to also know that there are so many people that were wicked, and all they had to do to escape the devastation was to do what you do; take cover in the LORD!)
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
(What an awesome promise! We already know that we will be confronted with evil people who also perform evil acts. But to know that they and their evil acts will have not have the power to overwhelm you or your household because you have taken cover in the LORD is truly awesome to say the least!)
CONCLUSION –
Beloved, look around you and observe what is going on. Don’t ignore it, don’t deny it, and don’t hide your reaction to it! As a Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, your reaction should be to TAKE COVER in the LORD. Believers do this by living and walking in the Spirit of the Lord. Believers do this by walking in the way, the will, and the word of the Lord. Believers do this by teaching others how to do the same thing they are doing; TAKING COVER IN THE LORD!