Darkness can be frightening for it often hides dangers that we cannot see. Life itself is filled with dangers both seen and unseen, all of which gives rise to fear.
The author of Psalm 91 knew all about these dangers and how to face them with God’s protection. He wrote: “Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.” (NLT)
There have always been “terrors of the night” that threaten our lives with unseen dangers that are still quite fatal. They were like the arrows that flew by day, and though nearly invisible, could kill you just as dead. From out of nowhere, disease and disaster may overtake and overcome, leaving no place to hide. Except of course, within the safety and protection of the Lord.
The New Testament borrowed the battle imagery of fiery arrows to warn us that Satan is waging spiritual warfare against us – with deadly intent. He is not just trying to weaken or discourage. He intends to kill our faith and destroy our hope. He attacks our faith with the fear of death. He entices us to sin with impure thoughts. With another of his arrows he stirs the fires of hate to destroy families and divide the church. He takes advantage of any weakness in our spiritual armour, relentlessly seeking to destroy.
The good news is that God promises to protect us from those arrows. We have “. . . the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:16 NLT) . God is with us both day and night.
Psalm 91:7 goes on to say, “Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.” (NLT)
While God promises protection, He does not spare us the difficulties and sorrows of life. Jesus promised that faith in Him and faithfulness to Him would bring it’s own set of persecutions and hardships. Believers in Jesus do not become bulletproof to danger or immune to misfortune. God protects us, by seeing us safely through our trials. And it is perhaps in the very midst of those trials that we become most aware of his presence.
As David said “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 NLT)
When we respond to God in faith he will most certainly see us through.
Port Colborne, ON