Blue Haven Bible Study 1
God Our Refuge (Protection & Presence Prayer)
Blue Haven Bible Study 1
God Our Refuge (Protection & Presence)
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust…For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways”
—Psalm 91:1–2, 11, NIV
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Welcome & Covenant Reminder
Welcome, everyone. My name is Tammy Ingram, also known as Chaplain Tammy, and more proudly known as Grammy Tammy. I want to begin by saying this is a safe space. What is shared here, stays here. You are free to speak, or you are free to be silent. Both are honored. There's no judgment here, only grace. This group is not about fixing each other—it's about meeting God together in the middle of what we carry.
Everything I am saying is written in your study paperwork. Myself, given I'm a visual learner and if I'm not comfortable in a particular setting, it helps me to read the paperwork along with the facilitator for comprehension. So I wanted to be conscious of y'all and respect each individual's comfort level. But... I can't promise you that I won't go into a Tammy Tangent at times and go off script!
But if I happen to not be here for some reason, your weekly study will be written out for the person I have selected carefully to take over group. And if they don't follow my script, let me know the following week; and it will be our secret!
I would be honored if you would introduce yourself to the group and myself and share only what you're comfortable with regarding profession and family.
Opening Prayer
Father God, we come before You tonight carrying the weight of what we've seen, what we've experienced, and what we silently bear. Quiet our minds, settle our hearts, and help us hear Your voice in this sacred space where we can finally be honest about what we carry. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
Opening Scripture
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust…For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” —Psalm 91:1–2, 11, NIV
Reflection (Devotion)
You live in a world that most people cannot imagine—whether it's stepping into dangerous situations, making split-second decisions that could mean life or death, or waiting at home with the weight of worry pressing down on your chest every time your officer walks out the door. The world often sees the uniform or the badge, but misses the human being inside it—the one who feels, who fears, who hopes, who longs for rest.
Law enforcement requires you to be constantly vigilant. Always scanning. Always assessing threat levels. Always ready. And that hypervigilance doesn't just turn off when you clock out or come home. It follows you into grocery stores, restaurants, your kids' school events. It seeps into your sleep; or lack of it. For spouses and families, you live with someone who's been trained to see danger everywhere, and sometimes that means you carry a different kind of vigilance: watching your officer for signs they're struggling, wondering if tonight's the night they don't come home, praying over fears you can't always speak out loud.
The exhaustion is real. The fear is real. The cost of this calling is real.
But here's what else is real: God sees you. Not just the uniform. Not just the role. Not just what you do, but who you are underneath all of it.
He names Himself your refuge and fortress. And notice, it's not a fortress that locks you in and keeps you trapped. It's a fortress that protects you as you go out. You don't have to choose between your calling and God's covering. He goes with you. Into every shift. Into every call. Into every moment of uncertainty.
Psalm 91 promises something stunning: "He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." That word "command" is military language. God doesn't suggest to the angels that they might want to keep an eye on you if it's convenient. He commands them. He stations them. He assigns them to you specifically.
You do not walk into darkness alone.
Whether you're the officer stepping into the unknown, or the spouse watching them leave and whispering prayers until they return, you are not alone. God has positioned His protection over you, around you, and ahead of you.
This group begins here: with the truth that you are not defined by your shifts, your struggles, or your scars. You are not defined by the worst call you've ever responded to, the decision you second-guess, or the trauma that replays in your mind when you're trying to sleep.
You are defined by the God who covers you, surrounds you, and keeps His eyes on you always.
And in this room, in this space, you're invited to be human—fully, honestly, without pretense. To name the fear. To admit the exhaustion. To say out loud what you've been carrying in silence. Because refuge isn't just a place; it's permission to stop pretending you're fine when you're not.
Discussion Questions
When you hear the phrase "shelter of the Most High," what comes to mind for you personally?
For officers: Where do you feel the heaviest weight right now: on duty, off duty, or at home?
For spouses/families: What's the hardest part of this calling for you?
Take-Home Reflection Questions (for private use)
I want to encourage you, these questions are not homework. They are invitations; something you can use in your own quiet moments, or talk through with your spouse if you'd like. No one will ever check your answers.
What do I most often run to for "refuge" when I'm overwhelmed: God, or something else?
Where do I feel most exposed or vulnerable right now?
What would it mean for me personally to "rest in the shadow of the Almighty"?
Have I ever felt God's protection in a situation where the outcome could have been worse? How did I respond?
What fears do I carry silently, even from my spouse or closest friend?
What is one prayer of protection I need to pray over myself, or my family, this week?
When I imagine God commanding His angels concerning me, what picture comes to mind?
If I believed fully that God is my fortress, how would it change the way I walk into my next shift/next day at home?
Prayer Focus (Leader-led, with space for silence)
Let's pray together. You are welcome to pray silently, or I will carry the words for us.
Closing Prayer
Lord, tonight we place every officer, every spouse, every child into Your hands. You see the danger, the exhaustion, the hidden fears. We ask for Your protection on every shift, in every patrol car, in every decision. Cover the families waiting at home with peace that guards their hearts and minds. Strengthen marriages. Guard children from fear. Heal the memories that haunt in the night. And remind each one here that they are never alone, for You command Your angels concerning them. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.
Closing Declaration (Group together, read aloud)
We will dwell in the shelter of the Most High.
We will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
God is our refuge and fortress.
We will not fear, for He is with us.
He will strengthen us and uphold us with His righteous right hand.
In His name, we are covered. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.