GOD IS... PROTECTOR
God is always with us and can be trusted with our wellbeing.
Psalms: 3, 5, 91, 115
GOD’S PROTECTION IN THE MIDST OF PAIN
In May of 2023, I was diagnosed with a neurological disorder that led to my need for brain surgery. Walking through this diagnosis has been difficult, but as I look back, it is abundantly clear that God has had a protective hand over me.
Leading up to my diagnosis, we were unsure of what was going on with my body. I experienced many confusing symptoms, visited multiple doctors, and still had no answers. For a long season, I could barely function, and I was mentally and emotionally drained. I also felt isolated because nobody else really understood what I was going through. Because I only had God, I relied on prayer to get me through the difficult days and long nights.
One of the times I felt the Lord’s protection most clearly was going into my first MRI. I had been told a brain tumor was likely, so I was terrified. The day of the MRI, I spent that morning in prayer, anxious and nervous. But as I walked into the building, a wave of peace washed over me. All of my fears and anxiety were forgotten, and I was able to rest for what seemed like the first time in months. God was protecting me; he was with me no matter the outcome.
Ultimately, I was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation, and surgery was scheduled. As surgery grew closer, my symptoms grew worse, but I was overwhelmed by the kindness of God’s people and the small moments when I knew God was watching over me.
I started my summer internship at Grace Church two weeks before my surgery. I was nervous that my health would ruin the summer, but God moved in big ways through our Kairos community. They provided strength when I had none and constantly reminded me of God’s faithfulness. He placed me in a season of sorrow and pain, and yet he let me experience the joy of being surrounded by his people—this was clear evidence of his protection.
It has been a long, hard road, and there are still days when I struggle to get out of bed. But looking back on how the Lord has protected me, I know I can always find strength and peace in him.
- Forge College Intern
PSALM 3
- Read through the entire Psalm.
- Now, read through it again and do the following:
- Circle descriptions of who God is or what he does for us.
- Underline how we are instructed to respond to God’s protection.
- If there are any words you don’t know or understand, write them to the side and take a moment to define.
1 O Lord, I have so many enemies;
so many are against me.
2 So many are saying,
“God will never rescue him!” Interlude
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
4 I cried out to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy mountain. Interlude
5 I lay down and slept,
yet I woke up in safety,
for the Lord was watching over me.
6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies
who surround me on every side.
7 Arise, O Lord!
Rescue me, my God!
Slap all my enemies in the face!
Shatter the teeth of the wicked!
8 Victory comes from you, O Lord.
May you bless your people. Interlude
PSALM 5
1 O Lord, hear me as I pray;
pay attention to my groaning.
2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
for I pray to no one but you.
3 Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
4 O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.
5 Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence,
for you hate all who do evil.
6 You will destroy those who tell lies.
The Lord detests murderers and deceivers.
7 Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.
8 Lead me in the right path, O Lord,
or my enemies will conquer me.
Make your way plain for me to follow.
9 My enemies cannot speak a truthful word.
Their deepest desire is to destroy others.
Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their tongues are filled with flattery.
10 O God, declare them guilty.
Let them be caught in their own traps.
Drive them away because of their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
12 For you bless the godly, O Lord;
you surround them with your shield of love.
Questions:
- Rewrite Psalm 5 in your own words. What is the author saying?
- What does this passage reveal to us about man?
- According to this passage, how is God a protector?
PSALM 91
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
8 Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.
9 If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
11 For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
16 I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”
GUIDED PRAYER
Response to Psalm 91
God,
You alone are my refuge, my shield, and my protector (vs 2). I trust you alone as my God (vs 2). So often, I am filled with worry and anxious thoughts about _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
It causes me not to trust and depend on you fully. Your Word says I do not have to be afraid of the night or the day (vs 5) and that evil will not conquer me when you are my refuge (vs 9–10).
Something that I am fearful of is _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
I want to take a moment to give that to you right now. Lord, you promise to protect all who trust in you (vs 14). Teach me now what it looks like to trust you with all that I am and all that I have.
Thank you for being a protector. Thank you for going before me and never leaving me (Deuteronomy 31:8). Give me strength now to share the gospel with those around me, and bring me safely into your heavenly Kingdom (2 Timothy 4:17–18).
Amen
PSALM 115
1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.
2 Why let the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens,
and he does as he wishes.
4 Their idols are merely things of silver and gold,
shaped by human hands.
5 They have mouths but cannot speak,
and eyes but cannot see.
6 They have ears but cannot hear,
and noses but cannot smell.
7 They have hands but cannot feel,
and feet but cannot walk,
and throats but cannot make a sound.
8 And those who make idols are just like them,
as are all who trust in them.
9 O Israel, trust the Lord!
He is your helper and your shield.
10 O priests, descendants of Aaron, trust the Lord!
He is your helper and your shield.
11 All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord!
He is your helper and your shield.
12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us.
He will bless the people of Israel
and bless the priests, the descendants of Aaron.
13 He will bless those who fear the Lord,
both great and lowly.
14 May the Lord richly bless
both you and your children.
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
16 The heavens belong to the Lord,
but he has given the earth to all humanity.
17 The dead cannot sing praises to the Lord,
for they have gone into the silence of the grave.
18 But we can praise the Lord
both now and forever!
Praise the Lord!
Reflect
- What does this passage tell us about God being our protector?
- How should we respond to God being our protector?
- How have you seen God’s protection in your own life?
For Further Study
- Psalm 18
- Psalm 40
- Isaiah 41:10–142
- Timothy 4:16–18
- Deuteronomy 31:7–8
Songs
- You’ve Already Won
- This We Know
- Psalm 91 (I Will Say)