Faith in Focus #34
A reflection from Connection Church and other spiritual events from the week
Faith in Focus is a weekly reflection on what God has been teaching me throughout the week regarding my faith. Whether it’s personal interactions, reading, or the Sunday sermon, God speaks through it all, and I hope this helps you focus on His mission.
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Sermon Reflection
Psalm 91 isn’t a promise of a painless life. It’s a promise that those who belong to God never face life's dangers alone. His protection is found not merely in what He does for us, but in His presence with us.
Based on the sermon by Jaz Terzic, Connection Church Sioux Falls, June 28, 2026.
The Fortress and the Wings: Understanding God's Protection
This week, elder Jaz Terzic led us through Psalm 91, a passage many Bible readers instinctively turn to during seasons of uncertainty. Most Bibles title it “My Refuge and My Fortress,” but Jaz summarized its central message with an even simpler phrase. The God of Protection.
Psalm 91 overflows with images describing who God is for His people. He’s a fortress that cannot be shaken, a refuge that cannot be overcome, and a shield against every enemy. Yet in the same psalm, God is also compared to a mother bird sheltering her young beneath her wings.
At first glance those images seem almost contradictory.
How can the same God be portrayed as both an immovable fortress and a gentle bird?
The answer is found in the person of Jesus Christ.
The God who possesses all authority over heaven and earth willingly humbled Himself by taking on flesh. Philippians tells us that although Christ was in the form of God, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death on a cross (Philippians 2:6-8). The strength of God is displayed in His victory over sin and death, while His gentleness is displayed in willingly absorbing the judgment we rightfully deserved.
Psalm 91 points us toward both realities.
God protects with overwhelming power, yet He also protects with overwhelming compassion.
The World Behind the Text
Psalm 91 never promises that believers will avoid hardship.
That’s one of the most important observations Jaz made throughout the sermon.
Many people approach this psalm as though it guarantees physical safety from every illness, disaster, or tragedy. Yet Scripture consistently teaches that faithful believers still experience suffering. Even Jesus Himself endured rejection, persecution, betrayal, torture, and death.
Instead, Psalm 91 shifts our perspective.
Rather than minimizing our fears, it magnifies the One who stands above them.
The psalmist writes,
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1, ESV)
The key word is “dwells.”
Protection isn’t portrayed as merely receiving blessings from God but living in relationship with Him.
Throughout the psalm, danger is acknowledged repeatedly. Pestilence, arrows, terror, destruction, disease, lions, serpents, and enemies all appear throughout its verses. Scripture never pretends those threats are imaginary.
Instead, God’s presence becomes greater than every threat.
The refuge is not found in the absence of danger.
The refuge is God Himself.
Walking the Passage
One distinction Jaz shared completely changed the way I think about Psalm 91.
The psalm doesn’t belittle our fears. It changes our response because of the size of our Helper.
Fear itself isn’t the enemy.
Every person experiences fear because we recognize our limitations. We fear disease because we can’t control it. We fear loss because we can’t prevent it. We fear death because it reminds us how fragile we are.
The Bible repeatedly tells God’s people, “Fear not,” because our circumstances have changed in light of who God is.
Yet another apparent paradox enters the conversation.
If one of the Bible’s most repeated commands is “Do not fear,” then how do we reconcile that with Proverbs 9:10?
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
Should we fear or shouldn’t we?
Jesus answers that question directly.
Jaz pointed us to Luke 12:4-7, where Jesus says,
“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!” (Luke 12:4-5, ESV)
Jesus isn’t contradicting the command to avoid fear.
He’s redirecting it.
Every human being fears something. Some fear failure. Others fear rejection. Others fear financial insecurity, illness, loneliness, or death.
Jesus teaches that every lesser fear should be overwhelmed by a greater one. The reverent awe before the Holy God.
Biblical fear of the Lord isn’t terror that causes us to run away.
It’s reverence that causes us to run toward Him.
When God becomes the greatest object of our reverence, every other fear begins shrinking into its proper place.
That’s exactly what Psalm 91 teaches.
God does not remove reality.
He transforms perspective.
A Fair Counter-Reading
Psalm 91 has sometimes been interpreted as a guarantee that faithful believers will always experience physical protection if they trust God enough.
While understandable, that interpretation struggles to account for the rest of Scripture.
Many faithful servants of God suffered persecution, imprisonment, disease, and even martyrdom. The apostles themselves faced extraordinary hardships, and Jesus warned His followers that they would experience tribulation in this world (John 16:33).
Even more significantly, Satan quoted Psalm 91 while tempting Jesus in the wilderness, encouraging Him to throw Himself from the temple because God had promised His angels would protect Him (Matthew 4:5-6). Jesus refused to misuse God’s promises, responding that we must not put the Lord to the test (Matthew 4:7).
This reminds us that Psalm 91 isn’t permission for reckless living or a guarantee of earthly comfort. Instead, it assures believers that no suffering, trial, or even death can separate God’s people from His sovereign care. His protection is ultimately fulfilled in His eternal purposes, not necessarily in temporary comfort.
The Turn
Another observation Jaz highlighted was something I had never noticed before.
Throughout Psalm 91, the word “you” appears in the singular.
These promises are deeply personal.
They’re directed toward individual believers who personally know, trust, and fear the Lord.
That doesn’t diminish the importance of the church community. Instead, it reminds us that saving faith can’t be inherited.
No one enters God’s protection because of their parents’ faith, their spouse’s faith, or even their church attendance.
Relationship with God is personal.
Verse 14 says,
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.” (Psalm 91:14, ESV)
Notice how relational every phrase is.
Holds fast.
Loves.
Knows.
God isn’t describing a transaction.
He’s describing a relationship. That relationship was ultimately secured through Jesus Christ.
On the cross, Jesus experienced abandonment so that everyone who trusts Him would never be abandoned again. He bore God’s judgment so that those who belong to Him would forever dwell beneath His protective care.
The fortress and the wings meet perfectly at Calvary.
Power and mercy become one.
Carry It Into the Week
The greatest encouragement I took away from this sermon was that God’s protection isn’t measured by whether life becomes easy.
It’s measured by His unchanging presence.
When anxiety rises, He remains our refuge.
When illness comes, He remains our refuge.
When uncertainty fills tomorrow, He remains our refuge.
Even when death eventually comes for everyone, Christ has already conquered the grave.
Paul reminds us,
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31, ESV)
The fears of this world are real.
Psalm 91 never denies that.
Instead, it introduces us to Someone infinitely greater.
The fear of the Lord eclipses every lesser fear because our Protector isn’t simply stronger than our enemies.
He is the Creator of every power, every nation, every circumstance, and every breath we take.
Those who belong to Christ don’t walk through life unprotected.
They walk through life with the God who promises,
“I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.” (Psalm 91:15, ESV)
That may not remove every storm.
But it reminds us that we never face one alone.
Song of the Week: I’d Do It Again - Andrew Ripp
To me, Andrew Ripp’s “I’d Do It Again” is the perfect reminder and depiction of God’s love for us. There really isn’t much to unpack because the message is beautifully straightforward. The song doesn’t hide behind complicated metaphors or vague imagery. It boldly declares the Gospel truth that God’s love for us is so great that everything Jesus endured was worth it in His eyes. Not because the cross was easy, but because of what it accomplished. Our redemption was worth every moment of suffering.
What makes the song especially powerful is how it paints the picture of Jesus looking back on every agonizing detail of His journey to the cross. He remembers the betrayal from one of His closest friends. He remembers being abandoned by those who promised to stand beside Him. He remembers the mocking, the false accusations, the crown of thorns pressed into His head, the nails driven through His hands and feet, the unbearable weight of the cross, and the darkness of Calvary. None of those memories are softened or erased. They are vivid, painful, and real.
Yet after remembering every wound, every drop of blood, and every ounce of suffering, His response isn’t regret. It’s not hesitation. It’s simply, “I’d do it again.”
That thought is almost impossible for us to comprehend. Most of us try to avoid pain whenever possible. If we know something will hurt us, we naturally look for another path. But Jesus willingly walked toward the cross knowing exactly what awaited Him. He wasn’t surprised by the suffering. He chose it. As John 15:13 reminds us, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus demonstrated the greatest love imaginable by laying down His life for people who could never earn or deserve it.
The beauty of this song is that it personalizes that sacrifice. It’s easy to think of Jesus dying for humanity as a whole, but Scripture makes it personal. Romans 5:8 says, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Before we cleaned up our lives, before we ever sought Him, before we had anything to offer, Christ willingly gave Himself for us.
When I listen to this song, I can’t help but be humbled. It’s difficult to wrap my mind around the idea that someone could love another person enough to willingly endure crucifixion even once, let alone say they would do it again if that’s what it took to rescue them. Yet that’s exactly the heart of God. His love isn’t based on our performance or our worthiness. It flows from His unchanging character. The cross wasn’t a reluctant obligation. It was the greatest display of love the world has ever, and will ever see.
That’s why “I’d Do It Again” hits so deeply for me. It serves as a reminder that every time I question whether God loves me, I don’t have to wonder. The answer has already been written in blood on the cross. Jesus knew the cost, accepted the suffering, endured the cross, and if rescuing us required it all over again, His answer would still be yes. That kind of love is beyond human understanding, and that’s exactly what makes it so amazing.
Week in Reflection
This week marked the annual fireworks side job that I’ve been doing with a friend from church for the past couple of years through Fire Bros. It’s become one of those traditions that I genuinely look forward to every summer. While it’s nice to step away from my normal 9-to-5 for a week, calling it a “break” would definitely be misleading. If anything, the workload just changes. Instead of sitting at a desk, the days are spent outside in the summer heat, helping customers, stocking product, keeping displays organized, and working long hours from open to close. By the end of each day, you’re physically exhausted, but it’s the kind of tired that comes from knowing you put in an honest day’s work.
One of the things I appreciate most about this opportunity is that it’s built on friendship and trust. My friend has enough confidence in me to bring me back every year and give me responsibilities that help keep everything running smoothly. That means a lot because trust isn’t something that should ever be taken for granted. It’s also been a fun way to spend time with someone from church outside of our usual Sunday interactions. We get to laugh, solve problems together, and serve hundreds of customers who are all excited to celebrate Independence Day with their families. Seeing kids light up while picking out fountains or hearing parents reminisce about fireworks they grew up with reminds me that, in a small way, we’re helping people create memories together.
Of course, I certainly won’t complain about the extra income either. Between photography, ministry opportunities, and the normal expenses of everyday life, it’s always a blessing to have a little additional financial breathing room. Even so, by the time July 4 finally arrives, I’m usually more than ready for a couple of days where I don’t have to stand in the sun for ten hours straight. The long days are worth it, but I’ll definitely be looking forward to slowing down, catching my breath, and enjoying some much needed rest once the holiday is over.
While fireworks dominated most of my week, I also received some very disappointing news that caught me completely off guard. Since February, I had been incredibly excited about covering the Forrest Frank concert in my area after receiving media approval months in advance. Everything seemed to be in place. The approvals had come through, plans had been made, and I had even signed the required contract. Then, because of a change in the tour’s media policy, those approvals were unexpectedly rescinded.
My first reaction, if I’m being honest, was frustration. I was angry, disappointed, and honestly a little shocked that something that had seemed so settled could simply disappear. After months of anticipation, it felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me. It’s a difficult reminder that in the concert photography world, nothing is truly guaranteed until you’re actually standing inside the venue with your camera in hand. No matter how official something feels, circumstances can change beyond your control.
As the initial disappointment began to wear off, though, I started seeing the situation through a different lens (no pun intended). One thing I’ve been learning over the past few years in my walk with Christ is that dwelling on what I can’t control rarely accomplishes anything. Instead, I’ve tried to look for the ways God may be working even through a closed door.
Because I no longer have to make the trip, I’m able to cancel the PTO I had scheduled from work and save it for another opportunity later this year. That’s a gift in itself. I also won’t be spending money on gas, hotel accommodations, meals, and all the travel expenses that come with covering an out of town concert. While I would’ve gladly spent that money for an artist I was excited to photograph, keeping those resources available may end up opening the door for something else entirely.
Who knows? Maybe another concert, another assignment, or another opportunity that I can’t even see yet will come along because of this change in plans. I’ve experienced enough unexpected blessings over the last couple of years to know that God often closes one door while quietly preparing another that I never would have considered on my own.
It’s easy to praise God when everything goes according to plan. It’s much harder when plans suddenly change without warning. Yet this week reminded me that God’s goodness isn’t dependent on whether my schedule works out the way I had hoped. He’s still faithful when opportunities disappear. He’s still providing when disappointments come. He’s still worthy of praise when the answer is “no” instead of “yes.”
So while I won’t be photographing Forrest Frank this time around, I’m choosing to trust that God knows something I don’t. Maybe this unexpected change is protecting me from something, preparing me for something better, or simply teaching me once again to hold my plans loosely. Whatever the reason, I can rest in knowing that His plans are always better than mine, even when I don’t understand them in the moment. Sometimes the bright side isn’t immediately obvious, but if we’re willing to look long enough, God’s fingerprints have a way of showing up in even the most disappointing circumstances.
And always remember, God loves you, and so do I.
Connection Church in Sioux Falls is a gospel-centered community committed to helping people follow Jesus through authentic relationships, biblical teaching, and everyday mission. Rooted in historic Christian belief and aligned with gospel renewal movements, the church exists to see lives transformed by Jesus. Learn more: https://siouxfallsconnection.com/who-we-are
