Sitting in the Shade of God
During this pandemic and all other times, you can trust in the Lord.
KEY VERSES
PSALM 91 (NASB)
Security of the One Who Trusts in the Lord.
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”
3 For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
6 Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
7 A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
8 You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.
9 For you have made the Lord, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
10 No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.
11 For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.
12 They will bear you up in their hands,
That you do not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.
14 “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
15 “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 “With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation.”
UNDERSTANDING
Read. Psalm 91:1-2. Where do you look for comfort when it seems as though the world is against you? Why do we often look to other places before we look to God?
What metaphors are used in these verses to describe God’s character? What do these teach us about who God is?
Read John 15:5. How are these images from Psalm 91 fulfilled in Christ?
How do verses like these help when you don’t feel like God is powerfully close to you?
Read Psalm 91:3-13. What does the imagery in verses 3-4 teach you about the danger that you face?
The psalmist wrote about darkness and night (v. 5) because during those times we are weak and vulnerable. What are the “terrors by night” that burden your heart and mind?
What is the relationship between the fear you feel and the amount of time you spend investing in the presence of God?
How does knowing God change your perception of your circumstances, even if the circumstances themselves remain unchanged?
How would you counsel someone who is asking big questions about God’s control as they watch the news at night?
How do verses 9-13 round out your understanding of what you read in verses 7-8?
Read Psalm 91:14-16. According to these verses, for what purpose would God give you a long life?
What does it mean to be truly satisfied in God? Why is that type of satisfaction not circumstantial?
APPLICATION
Of the following three points from this week’s message, which stands out to you the most personally and why? We can trust the Lord to be powerfully close to us. We can trust the Lord to provide for our safety. We can trust the Lord to bless us.
How does the pandemic provide a means for you to point out the glory of God in Jesus Christ?
Which of the three points of application given in this week’s message do you need to implement in your life this week: 1. Spend more time in God’s Word than you do watching or reading the news. 2. Check on one another. 3. Pray.
WANT TO DIVE DEEPER?
Joining a group is a great way to know people and strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. Take a look at available groups to get plugged in to and find the group that is right for you.
GIVING
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