You will not be afraid of the terror by night… –Psalm 91:5a
Note that verses five and six of Psalm 91 cover an entire 24-hour period emphasizing day and night protection. What is more important is that these two verses encompass every evil known to man.
The psalmist divides the list into four categories. The first—terror by night—includes all the evils that come through man: kidnapping, robbery, rape, murder, terrorism, wars…! It is the dread—or horror—or alarm that comes from what man can do to you. God is saying, “You will not be afraid of any of those things…because they will not approach you” (Psalm 91:5-7). The first thing verse five deals with is fear.
It is the goodness of God that He made provision before we ever asked! This is not for everyone; it is for those who know and believe the truth. Over and over Jesus told us, “Do not fear!” Why do you think He continually reminds us not to be afraid? Because it is through faith in His Word that we are protected… It is no wonder God addresses the fear of terror first.
How do we keep from being afraid? Very simply! Fear comes when we think we are responsible for bringing about this protection ourselves. Too often, we think— “Oh, if I can just believe hard enough, maybe I’ll be protected!” That’s wrong thinking! The protection is already there. It has already been provided, whether we receive it or not. Faith is simply the choice to receive what Jesus has already done.
Our physical weapons are operated with our hands, but we operate our spiritual weapons with our mouths. Confessing with our mouth and believing with our heart starts with the new birth experience and sets precedence for receiving all of God’s good gifts (Romans 10:9-10).
Pray Out Loud.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise to protect me so I don’t have to be afraid of any terror as I abide in the secret place. I put my complete trust in You and say aloud in faith the promises of protection You’ve provided for me. In Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen
[Adapted from Psalm 91 God’s Umbrella of Protection by Peggy Joyce Ruth. All rights reserved.]
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10 KJV