I would like to share my experience with Psalm 27.  It has nothing to do with the Rapture but everything to do with God's tender mercies and His ability to meet me where I am and to meet my need in a wondrous way.
 
It was November 22, 1991 and I was devastated.  My final divorce hearing was the following day.  I was feeling alone and afraid.  I felt surrounded by enemies who were attacking me through the court system.  My husband threatened to take my children from me and was making all sorts of insidious and ridiculous statements about me.  My heart was breaking.
 
My own sister had taken his side against me, telling me I had "no Biblical basis for this divorce."  At the time, I was not airing the dirty linen by sharing with her his numerous affairs and his cruelty to me and to my older children.  My parents were in their 70s and not in good health.  They were supportive of me and heartbroken also.
 
My dreams were as ashes and my castles had crumbled to dust.  I had nothing left to offer God.  I was crushed and broken.  I went to church and I could not enter in at the door.  No one was stopping me.  I was so heartbroken, I would burst into tears and I could not enter the church.
 
I opened my "Open Windows" devotional book and the passage for that date was in Psalm 27.  It was not the whole of the Psalm but once I began reading it, I devoured it.  It was as sweet as honey and as cool and refreshing as a drink of cold water.
 
5.  For in the day of trouble
He will keep me safe in His dwelling;
He will hide me in the shelter of His Tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
 
6.  Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at His Tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
 
7.  Hear my voice when I call, O Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
 
8.  My heart says of you, "Seek His face!"
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
 
9.  Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.
 
10. Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
 
11. Teach me your way, O Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
 
12. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.
 
13. I am confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
 
14. Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
 
That was my prayer that night as I talked with my Lord.  His answer and blessing for me was a good night's rest.  I awoke refreshed and confident in the morning.  Court went well.  My enemy, my estranged husband, made a fool of himself in court.  His lawyer proved to be inept and asked me questions that he did not know the answer to in advance.  That made him look foolish.  I'm not going to tell you all was rosy from that day forward because it wasn't but the victory in that battle was the Lord's.
 
I was able to walk into church and back into the choir.  During many choir practices, I would stand with tears streaming down my cheeks as the music poured over me as a cooling rain, refreshing me anew.
 
I prayed for my children, for their safety, because I had been informed by several people that this man was indeed a pedophile and my children were not safe with him.  I began to pray for a hedge of protection around them.  I visualized my children in the hollow of His Hand with His other hand covering them.  I could not protect them.  The police could not protect them.  The court would not protect them.  There was no physical evidence of abuse but my children were showing behavioral signs of "grooming."  Their teachers and day care providers were concerned.  My pediatrician was very concerned.  I felt very helpless.  I knew only God could protect them and I gave them to Him.
 
Within about a month of praying this protection over them, their father moved without any warning and moved about 7 hours drive away (by interstate).  The cycle was broken.  His authority over them was broken and my children were saved.
 
God is good and His tender mercies are everlasting.  Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
I have felt His arms around me in times of distress.  He is my Father.  Whom should I fear?
I have seen His protection.  I have felt His love.