Heart Songs: Week Four | Safe and Sound (Psalm 91)Sample

He Is My Peace

Charles Fuller worked as the manager of a fruit packing house in Southern California, yet he was restless. It was 1919 and he had a growing conviction that God wanted him to resign from his job and attend the Bible Institute of Los Angeles to train for ministry. 

One April morning, his conviction grew so strong that he walked downstairs and knelt in prayer in the back of a storage room filled with orange boxes. Fear gripped him because he didn't have the speaking ability for preaching. He prayed, "Oh, Lord, I will walk in your path. I will even try to preach. I will resign my position and trust you to supply our needs as I prepare for ministry."

God's peace flooded his soul and soon he notified the packing house board that he would be resigning to study at Biola in the fall. They were sad at this news and one of them said, "Charlie, you're too good a man for the ministry. You should stay here. Why, a minister only has to work one day a week—Sunday, when he preaches." But for Charles Fuller there was no turning back. He had learned that He is our peace. Fuller was a pioneer in Christian radio. He preached every week for nearly thirty years to twenty million people on Old Fashioned Revival Hour broadcast live from Long Beach Auditorium in California (adapted from Robert J. Morgan, Nelson's Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations & Quotes [Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000]).

Read the verses below and answer the following questions:

You will not fear the terror of night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eyes

and see the punishment of the wicked" (Psalm 91:5-8, NIV).

Practical Observation

1. Since God has covered us with His feathers, His wings, and His truth, how should we respond?

2. What four threats could grip us with fear? At what time of day do they strike?

3. Summarize how God can protect in the face of attack.

4. Explain what those left standing will witness.

Personal Application

a. God protects those who abide in His shadow. Despite the Enemy's plots, the world's corruption, and our body's frailty, we need not be afraid. What events in your life have made or are making you feel afraid?

b. Paul gives us a list of dos and don'ts in Philippians 4:6-7: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." What does Paul tell us not to do? What does he tell us to do? How can you apply these verses to the situations that make you afraid?

Through today's verses we affirm God is our peace even through life's trials. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you…. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).