Dial 9-1-1 for Protection
9-1-1 = Psalm 91:1 – The Psalm of Safety
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Long before we were told to dial 9-1-1 for emergencies, God gave this as one of his 3300 precious promises just waiting for us to incorporate it into our lives.
Keith’s Protection
In 1996 at my part-time job, Keith, a worried young Christian, told me his family was flying to Los Angles for a vacation. He said, “I heard you’re a Christian. Can you help me?” (His fear was based on a recent plane crash and Atlanta Olympics bombing.) Suddenly, God’s Word in II Timothy 1:7 came to mind. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and of a sound mind” (self-discipline).
I began explaining God’s promises made to us all in Psalms 91. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night . . . No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling, etc. The conditions to receive His promises are in verses 9 & 14; because you have made the Lord your dwelling place . . . because you have set your love on ME . . . because you have known MY name.
The more I explained, the greater MY excitement. No weapon formed against you shall prosper – Isaiah 54:17. I also told him the story from the book by George Otis, Terror at Tenerife
My Protection
The next day, I finished my work assignments in Fenton, Missouri, so decided to leave my salaried job early. Driving my conversion van north on I-270 through major construction at I-44, only 3 of the Interstate’s 5 lanes were open. I slowly picked up speed (trying to move into a faster lane), but the heavy traffic forced me to stay in the outside lane, passing close to various construction trucks.
One truck had a triple boom with a 2’ by 2’ by 2’ cast-iron hook, suspended by a steel cable used to lift metal beams. The operator was struggling to secure it, but since it was on a hill, the upper length wasn’t cooperating. Suddenly, arm broke loose, swinging into my traffic lane. I slowed down to allow the operator to regain control, but gravity took over and this massive hook headed straight for my head.
SMASH! The hook destroyed the windshield directly in front of me, ripped through the cabin, then grabbed the van’s frame jerking it to a screeching halt. Glass from my driver’s side windshield flew everywhere. The van was totaled, but the rear view mirror attached to the windshield was untouched.
Quickly, I took inventory of my body. Was I alive? Let’s see . . . No glass in my eyes – no bruises, no bleeding. A construction worker hurried along side calling, “Are you all right? I have a weak stomach and can’t look!” My answer was “YES, PRAISE GOD!” I should have been killed, but hadn’t even been touched! I had experienced divine protection! It was a miracle!
Brushing the glass out of my hair, eyelashes and clothes, I got out of the van very shaken. Another construction worker walked up and said: “Hey where’s the dead guy? Better tell the ambulance to take their time.” From the crowd of onlookers I replied, “I’m the guy, and I’m great shape, praise God!
Later, when I told Diane my wife, her reaction was, “you’re always covered, because I pray Psalm 91 over our family every day!” Also, what I hadn’t realized was that while encouraging Keith about Psalm 91, the night before, I had actually been covering myself as well. God’s Word protected me!
The Bible is God speaking to us. It’s always true and reliable. God always honors His Word and His promises! So, what He did for me, He’ll do for you! Count on it! Oh yes – Keith? He prayed Psalm 91 on the airplane and had a great vacation!
Trackbacks/Pingbacks