Safe and Secure

// LYNETTE HAGIN

WITH TIMES as perilous as they are, it's important that we claim the promises of God for protection over our lives. All of us refer to certain scriptures more frequently than other verses. One scripture passage that I've always claimed for protection is Psalm 91. Every day I speak it over my entire family. Of course, when we claim this psalm, it is important to abide by its guidelines and understand how they relate to us.

Psalm 91:1–2 says, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust." The New International Version translates verse 1 this way, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."

To dwell in the shelter of the Most High means to live in constant communion with God and place Him first in our lives. Doing these two things must be our number one priority if we want the benefits of Psalm 91. So often Christians neglect their relationship with God; they put it off until a tragedy happens. Then they run back to the shelter of God. We should not live that way.

God didn't say to visit Him occasionally; He said to dwell "in the shelter of the Most High" (NIV). To dwell refers to continually inhabiting. In other words, we constantly have to reside in the secret place in God. It must be our permanent—not temporary—dwelling place. When we have this kind of relationship with our Heavenly Father, we can boldly claim that He is our refuge and fortress. In times of trouble, we can run to Him confidently, knowing He will take care of us.
Verses 3 and 4 say, "Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler." I read those verses for years and heard ministers describe the way a mother hen protects her chicks. But I wasn't raised on a farm, so it was unfamiliar to me until I saw it happen for myself.

Several years ago, some geese were eating the baby ducks that inhabit our park on the Rhema USA campus. So our maintenance staff placed a mother duck and her babies in a pen until the ducklings were old enough to protect themselves. One day I went to check on the baby ducks. As I approached the enclosure, the mother duck sensed what she thought was danger and began frantically gathering the ducklings under her wings. I was amazed at how quickly she covered them until they were out of sight.

Seeing Psalm 91:4 visibly illustrated made an indelible impression on me. Now imagine that happening to us. Whatever comes our way, our Heavenly Father so covers us with His protecting arms that the enemy can't find us. This passage assures us that God will deliver us from any harmful situation or circumstance that may come our way.

Verses 10 and 11 in the New Living Translation say, "No evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go." I quote these verses often, especially when symptoms try to fasten themselves on any member of my family. At those times I quickly tell the devil, "You cannot put that symptom on us because I have already claimed that no plague can come to our family."

The crowning promises in the psalm are in verses 15 and 16 (NLT): "When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation."

I encourage you to take the promises in Psalm 91, confess them daily, believe what God has promised, and watch them become a reality in your life.

FAITH IN ACTION

A Prayer of Protection

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promises of protection for our lives. I confess Psalm 91 over my loved ones and myself, and I am resting in Your care. I know that whatever comes our way, You will cover us with Your protecting arms and deliver us in the Name of Jesus.

PSALM 91 CONFESSION*

Father, I thank You that I dwell in the shelter of the Most High and that I am secure in the shadow of the Almighty whose power no enemy can withstand. I will say of You, Lord, "You are my place of safety and protection. You are my God. I trust and rest in you." You will rescue me from every hidden trap of the enemy and deadly diseases. Your massive arms are wrapped around me, protecting me. I can run under Your covering of majesty and hide. Your faithfulness is a shield that keeps me from harm.

I will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night nor fear a spirit of darkness coming against me. I don't fear a thing! Whether by night or day, demonic danger or powers of evil launched against me will not trouble me. Even in a time of disaster where thousands die, I will remain unscathed and unharmed. I will only watch and see the wicked punished.

When I live my life under the shadow of God Most High, my secret hiding place, I will always be shielded from harm. No disaster will come to my home. God has put His angels in charge of me to defend and guard me in all my ways. If I walk into a trap, they are there to protect me and keep me from stumbling.

I will walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness, trampling every one of them beneath my feet! Because I have placed my love on You, Lord, You will save me and set me securely on high. Because I know Your Name, I confidently trust and rely on You, knowing that You will never abandon me. I call upon You, and You will answer me. You will be with me in trouble. You will rescue and honor me. With long life, You will satisfy me and let me see Your salvation!

*Taken from the Amplified Bible, New Century Version, and The Passion Translation.