In 2 Samuel 1:21, Saul and his son Johnathan are killed in battle and we see David weeping and lamenting over their deaths. Although his greatest grief is for Jonathan, his beloved friend, he does not forget the bravery of the king, and the battles he had won for Israel. He extols the bravery of Saul and Jonathan in battle, but added this: “The shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.” 

David’s lamentation over Saul’s death adds great credence to the efficacy of the anointing oil. By that statement, David was saying that despite his past glory, the anointing of the Lard and his honor as king of Israel, Saul had died as though he was never separated and anointed with oil. By implication, besides favor, elevation and empowering the saint to fulfill purposes in life and destiny, the anointing offers every believer a seal of protection.

On Friday November 13, 2015, deadly attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers were reported in Pariswhere they hit a concert hall, a major stadium, restaurants and bars, almost simultaneously – leaving at least 129 people dead and hundreds wounded.

With unending news of conflicts, natural disasters, diseases and new strains of drug-resistant viruses, at one point or the other, as believers, we ask ourselves” 
– “Is there a place where we can take refuge from a world gone this crazy?”
– “Does the word of God have anything to say to us in this circumstance, in times like this?” 

The resounding response to these rhetorical questions would be a “Yes, there is!” In His Omniscience, God foresaw all these things and left us a promise of protection from every evil known to man; if we trust in Him and take Him as our refuge. That promise is recorded in Psalm 91.

Psalm 91 is brilliantly arranged. Classified as a Psalm of Confidence, this Psalm parades a cascade of metaphors expressing the myriad ways God grants diplomatic immunity to his faithful ones. At the start the psalmist confesses his own confidence: “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 
Verses 1-3 introduces the theme of trust and commitment, verses 3-13 is a didactic poem that catalogs myriads of situations where God protects while verses 14-16 concludes the Psalm with God himself speaking, substantiating all that has been asserted. 
This theme of protection is expressed in a series of striking metaphors, in a staccato-like fashion, conveying assurance in different ways. There are snares, traps, pestilence, plagues, war, and dangerous animals, yet the Psalmist asserts a protective calm that emanates from God’s holy presence to surround the believer and shields him or her. 

By verse 14, God promises rescue, protection, salvation; and even honor to everyone who calls on Him. So whether it is protection from an unknown virus, contagious illnesses, horrific accidents, unexpected attacks, an earthquake at midnight, a crazy sniper, or a terrorist attack, God says, “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.” (Psalm 91:5–6) This promise affirms His other guaranteed protection in John 17:14–23.

God’s protection plan for the believer is exclusive (all who dwell with Him), extensive (no limitations), extraordinary (supernatural); and expansive (with fringe benefits). It is the mark of “touch NOT!” 

This divine restraining order on the enemy offers us rest in God’s shadow (Vs.1), a sanctuary in God’sfortress (Vs.2,4), redemption from temptation (V. 3), confidence on His promises (V.5-6), divine vengeance upon our enemies (V. 7-8), remedy from wrath (V.9-10), angelic reinforcement (V.11-12), rescue from danger, (V.13-14), answers to our Requests (V.15); and promises of resilience (V.15) 
– What a list of promises! – all yours to claim this Sunday.

Come expecting God to break every yoke of the enemy off your life and establish the seal of “TOUCH NOT” on you – (body soul and spirit); and be sure to invite and also reach out to the unsaved and bring them along for the service together with your friends and family.