Week of July 27-August 2
Shelter – Man as Defender
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” - Psalm 91:1-2 ESV
On June 17, 1775, as musket balls tore across Breed’s Hill during the Battle of Bunker Hill, Private Peter Brown witnessed his fellow soldiers falling all around him. Just eight days later, Brown wrote a letter to his mother in which he reflected on the terrifying experience and God’s preserving hand:
Oh may I never forget Gods distinguishing Mercy to me, in sparing my Life, when they fell on my right hand, and on my left, and close by me, they were to the eye of reason no more expos’d than myself --
When the Arrows of death flew thick around me, I was preserv’d while others were suffer’d to fall a prey to our Cruel enemies O may that God whose Mercy was so far extended in my preservation, grant me his grace to devote my future Life to his divine service.
As the battle raged around him, Brown remembered the promise of Psalm 91: “You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day ... A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you” (vv. 5, 7). Brown did not claim that God had guaranteed his survival. He knew too many brave men who had died that day. Instead, he humbly acknowledged that his life had been preserved by the sovereign mercy of God and resolved to spend whatever days remained in the Lord’s service.
I can relate. God has sheltered me from death on a number of occasions, and this psalm has been a source of comfort to me. In fact, Psalm 91 has encouraged soldiers, first responders, missionaries, and countless believers who have walked into dangerous places. Yet it can be misunderstood. The psalm is not a blanket promise that faithful people will never suffer hardship or death. I have sent home too many flag-draped coffins to believe that. Indeed, Scripture records the martyrdom of godly individuals who trusted the Lord completely. Jesus Himself is the supreme example. Psalm 91 reminds us that our lives are never outside God’s sovereign care. Whether He chooses to deliver us from danger, sustain us through it, or take us home to heaven, we are always secure in His hands.
That truth should give a man tremendous courage. Fear loses much of its power when we remember that our times are in God's hands, not the enemy’s. We take reasonable precautions, prepare diligently, fulfill our responsibilities, and fight with bravery, but we do not live in bondage to fear because our confidence rests in the One who rules over every battlefield and every circumstance of life.
One of the most important responsibilities of a defender is helping those under our care find shelter and security in God rather than circumstances. A husband and father cannot guarantee his family’s safety or shield his children from every hardship. A leader cannot eliminate every threat. But he can continually point those entrusted to him to the Lord, who alone is our refuge and fortress (v. 2). The strongest defender is not the man who convinces his family they have nothing to fear; it is the man who teaches them where to run for shelter when life’s arrows start flying in our direction.
The psalm reaches its climax with God’s own assurance: “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him ... I will be with him in trouble” (vv. 14–15). Notice that God does not say, “I will keep him from all trouble.” He says, “I will be with him in trouble.” That promise is even greater. God’s presence is our confidence. His faithfulness is our refuge. His sovereign care is our fortress.
Peter Brown survived Bunker Hill and never forgot why. He believed God had spared his life for a purpose, and he devoted his remaining years to the Lord’s service. Whether God grants us many years or few, every day is a gift of His grace. Like that young soldier, may we live courageously, trusting our Defender, and devote whatever time He gives us to faithfully serving Him.
Shelter – Man as Defender
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” - Psalm 91:1-2 ESV
On June 17, 1775, as musket balls tore across Breed’s Hill during the Battle of Bunker Hill, Private Peter Brown witnessed his fellow soldiers falling all around him. Just eight days later, Brown wrote a letter to his mother in which he reflected on the terrifying experience and God’s preserving hand:
Oh may I never forget Gods distinguishing Mercy to me, in sparing my Life, when they fell on my right hand, and on my left, and close by me, they were to the eye of reason no more expos’d than myself --
When the Arrows of death flew thick around me, I was preserv’d while others were suffer’d to fall a prey to our Cruel enemies O may that God whose Mercy was so far extended in my preservation, grant me his grace to devote my future Life to his divine service.
As the battle raged around him, Brown remembered the promise of Psalm 91: “You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day ... A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you” (vv. 5, 7). Brown did not claim that God had guaranteed his survival. He knew too many brave men who had died that day. Instead, he humbly acknowledged that his life had been preserved by the sovereign mercy of God and resolved to spend whatever days remained in the Lord’s service.
I can relate. God has sheltered me from death on a number of occasions, and this psalm has been a source of comfort to me. In fact, Psalm 91 has encouraged soldiers, first responders, missionaries, and countless believers who have walked into dangerous places. Yet it can be misunderstood. The psalm is not a blanket promise that faithful people will never suffer hardship or death. I have sent home too many flag-draped coffins to believe that. Indeed, Scripture records the martyrdom of godly individuals who trusted the Lord completely. Jesus Himself is the supreme example. Psalm 91 reminds us that our lives are never outside God’s sovereign care. Whether He chooses to deliver us from danger, sustain us through it, or take us home to heaven, we are always secure in His hands.
That truth should give a man tremendous courage. Fear loses much of its power when we remember that our times are in God's hands, not the enemy’s. We take reasonable precautions, prepare diligently, fulfill our responsibilities, and fight with bravery, but we do not live in bondage to fear because our confidence rests in the One who rules over every battlefield and every circumstance of life.
One of the most important responsibilities of a defender is helping those under our care find shelter and security in God rather than circumstances. A husband and father cannot guarantee his family’s safety or shield his children from every hardship. A leader cannot eliminate every threat. But he can continually point those entrusted to him to the Lord, who alone is our refuge and fortress (v. 2). The strongest defender is not the man who convinces his family they have nothing to fear; it is the man who teaches them where to run for shelter when life’s arrows start flying in our direction.
The psalm reaches its climax with God’s own assurance: “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him ... I will be with him in trouble” (vv. 14–15). Notice that God does not say, “I will keep him from all trouble.” He says, “I will be with him in trouble.” That promise is even greater. God’s presence is our confidence. His faithfulness is our refuge. His sovereign care is our fortress.
Peter Brown survived Bunker Hill and never forgot why. He believed God had spared his life for a purpose, and he devoted his remaining years to the Lord’s service. Whether God grants us many years or few, every day is a gift of His grace. Like that young soldier, may we live courageously, trusting our Defender, and devote whatever time He gives us to faithfully serving Him.
- Where do you instinctively seek shelter during times of uncertainty or danger? How are you helping your family trust in God’s presence rather than favorable circumstances?
- If God has preserved you through difficult seasons, how are you using the life He has spared to serve Him more faithfully?
- Pray and ask the Lord to guide you in following His example as a Defender of those you love and lead.