What happens when life feels unsafe, trouble surrounds us, and tomorrow seems uncertain? Where do we turn when fear threatens to overwhelm our faith?
On Sunday, 18 October, our 3C South Coast family welcomed a very special guest, Ps Tony Cassell, who is also Ps Larry’s pastor and father-in-law. Through a powerful teaching on Psalm 91 , The Psalm of Protection, Ps Tony reminded us that God’s promises are not distant words written thousands of years ago. They are living truths that we can build our lives upon today.
But there’s something important we need to understand. God’s protection is connected to our relationship with Him. And it begins in a place Scripture calls the secret place.
The Secret Place: Where Protection Begins
Psalm 91:1 (EASY) gives us a beautiful promise:
“If anyone lives in Almighty God’s safe place, the Most High God protects that person.”
Notice the word lives.
Ps Tony emphasised that dwelling in God’s presence is more than attending church on Sunday, praying when trouble strikes, or remembering a Scripture when we’re afraid.
It’s a lifestyle.
Throughout the Bible, God calls us into an ongoing relationship with Him. Ephesians 5:19 encourages us to fill our hearts with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, while Colossians 3:16 reminds us to allow God’s Word to live richly within us. The Psalms are not simply beautiful poetry. They teach us how to worship, trust and walk with God.
Jesus reinforces this relationship in John 15:7, teaching that when we abide in Him and His Word remains in us, our prayers become rooted in that relationship. The secret place isn’t somewhere we visit occasionally.
It’s where we learn to live.
What Are You Speaking Over Your Life?
Our words reveal a great deal about what we believe.
With so much uncertainty, crime, conflict and fear around us, it’s easy to become consumed by everything that’s going wrong. But Ps Tony challenged us to change what we declare.
He said:
“I am not going to speak about everything that’s going on all the time around me; I’m going to speak about who God is in me.”
That’s a powerful shift in perspective!
Psalm 91:2 (EASY) declares:
“You are the strong place where I will be safe. You are my God, and I trust in you.”
Then 2 Corinthians 4:13 reminds us of an important principle:
“I believed, therefore I spoke.”
Faith isn’t pretending problems don’t exist. It’s choosing to declare God’s truth when circumstances try to convince us otherwise. Instead of constantly repeating our fears, we can speak about God’s faithfulness. Instead of allowing worry to dominate our conversations, we can remind ourselves who our Father is.
What we believe in our hearts should find expression in the words we speak.
Stay Under the Umbrella!
One of the most memorable moments of Sunday’s message came when Ps Tony used an ordinary umbrella to explain something extraordinary.
Imagine standing outside during a heavy downpour.
Rain is falling everywhere. The storm hasn’t stopped, and the weather hasn’t changed. But when you stand beneath an umbrella, you have shelter. That’s the picture Ps Tony painted of living under God’s covering. Psalm 91:4 describes the Lord protecting His children as a bird shelters its young beneath its wings.
God’s faithfulness becomes our shield. But Ps Tony highlighted something crucial about his illustration.
An umbrella offers protection when we remain underneath it.
In the same way, we must guard our relationship with God. Compromise, disobedience and spiritual neglect can draw us away from the fellowship He invites us to enjoy. This isn’t about living in constant fear of making a mistake. It’s about choosing closeness with our Heavenly Father rather than allowing the enemy to gain a foothold.
The enemy may bring deception and temptation, but 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us that God is faithful and provides a way through temptation.
The question is simple. Are we deliberately remaining under His covering, or have we allowed other things to pull us away?
Protected Doesn’t Mean Trouble Never Comes
Psalm 91:5–10 speaks powerfully about God’s protection from danger, destruction and fear. In the same power, Isaiah 54:17 reminds us that no weapon formed against God’s people will prosper. Yet the Bible also acknowledges that believers face difficult seasons. In Isaiah 43:1–3, God speaks about passing through deep waters, dangerous rivers and fire. Notice that He doesn’t say we’ll never face those things, but He promises to be with us.
That’s what makes our God so different. Our confidence doesn’t come from believing life will always be easy. It comes from knowing that God remains faithful even when life becomes difficult.
1 Peter 5:8–9 calls us to remain watchful, resist the enemy and stand firm in our faith. Psalm 91:11–13 reveals another wonderful truth: God sends His angels to watch over His people. Hebrews 1:13–14 describes angels as ministering spirits sent to serve those who inherit salvation.
We are never beyond God’s attention or care.
Six Wonderful Promises From Psalm 91
As Ps Tony brought his message towards a close, he highlighted six remarkable promises found in Psalm 91:14–16.
When we dwell in the secret place of the Most High, we can confidently hold on to these wonderful assurances:
- Divine Protection: God’s faithfulness provides a covering we can trust, even when danger surrounds us.
- Answered Prayer: We can approach our Heavenly Father with confidence, knowing He hears us when we call.
- His Constant Presence: No matter how difficult the circumstances, we never have to face life’s storms alone.
- Deliverance: Our troubles don’t have the final word. The Lord promises to bring us through.
- A Long, Satisfying Life: Beyond simply counting our years, we can look forward to a life enriched by His goodness and faithfulness.
- The Joy of Salvation: Walking with Jesus brings peace, purpose and the privilege of enjoying our relationship with Him every day.
These aren’t simply words to admire. They are truths to believe, declare and live by. Together, they all point us back to one central truth:
Everything begins with loving God, trusting Him and dwelling in His presence.
No Matter What You’re Going Through, Keep Going!
Towards the end of his message, Ps Tony shared a simple but deeply encouraging thought:
“No matter what you’re going through right now, you are going through.”
Perhaps you’re facing uncertainty, financial pressure, sickness or a personal battle nobody else knows about.
Take courage today. Your circumstances may be challenging, but they don’t have to determine your relationship with God. Come closer to Him. Fill your heart with His Word. Speak His promises. Remain beneath His covering.
And if you’ve drifted away from Jesus, remember that His invitation to return is still open.
At 3C South Coast, we believe in helping people discover and grow in a living relationship with Jesus.
So, as you face the week ahead, remember Ps Tony’s umbrella.
The world around you may be stormy, but you can choose to dwell in the secret place of the Most High.
Stay close to Jesus. Stay under His covering. And keep walking in faith!
