In all our wars there have been soldiers who have looked to God for help. Many have learned the value of praying the 91st Psalm. In fact, one of my father’s close friends was an American fighter pilot who got shot down during World War II. He was captured and incarcerated for almost 22 months in a prison camp.
One day he looked outside and the sky was covered with B-24s and B-17s. The prisoners were shouting with joy to realize they would be rescued, but then it dawned on them that they might get killed in the crossfire. Our friend dove under a bed along with two other fellows—one Jewish, the other Catholic. During the time he was a POW, he diligently confessed Psalm 91, and that’s what started coming out of his mouth: “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust…. A thousand shall fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand, but it will not come nigh me!” The Jewish boy jumped right in, then the Catholic boy said, “God, I don’t know it all by heart, but amen, amen, amen!”
The prison camp was leveled. The hospital was leveled. There was nothing left but about $4 worth of rubble—and one little bed and three fellows under it who were trusting God.
That is what Psalm 91 will do in combat!
Gloria and I have been honored to minister to military personnel in person and through teachings about the divine protection that’s available to them as described in Psalm 91. We are thrilled when we receive letters from soldiers who have taken hold of this truth in their own lives.
Years ago, when I spoke to the troops I told them, “I’m giving you an assignment. You had to learn the orders of the day, now learn God’s order of the day—Psalm 91!”
Here it is:
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
If you are standing in faith for the protection of your soldier, then begin praying the 91st Psalm over him or her today. Don’t wait another minute to take a stand in the Spirit for their safe return.
Written with permission from Kenneth Copeland Ministries©