“You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor the arrow that flies by day,” (Psalm 91:5 NKJV)
“You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you.” (psalm 91:5 TPT)
“Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.” (Psalm 91:5 NLT)
“You will not be afraid of the terror of night, nor of the arrow that flies by day.” (Psalm 91:5 AMP)
“You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day.” (Psalm 91:5 HCSB)
“You shall not be afraid of the dread of the night or of the arrow that flies by day.” (Psalm 91:5 ABIPE)
I was raised in an old farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. I remember more than once having to hide behind my Mom as my Dad chased a bat out of the house with a broom. Bats flying around my head left me feeling anything but safe and secure. As the youngest of 4 boys there were many “night terrors” as my brothers seemed to get great enjoyment from seeing just how much they could scare me.
On one particular occassion my parents went out for the night leaving my older brother in charge. He decided that the thing to do was for us to watch the original “Night of the Living Dead” movie. Needless to say, his goal of giving me a scary night was acheived. By the end of the movie I was ready to get into my bed and pull the covers over my head. We all know that by covering your head, and closing your eyes, you are safe.
One extremely frightening scene showed a person walking through a graveyard when all of a sudden an arm thrust up out of the ground grabbing the person by the ankle. You can probably guess what I had to look forward to later that night. After I had snuggled in under my covers (up over my head) and fallen asleep, my brother got down on the floor and slithered up to the edge of my bed. He then preceded to reach up under my covers and grab me by the ankle. Like a frightened jack rabbit I leaped out of bed and ran down the hall, down the stairs, and to my parents room for protection (and nearly for resuscitation). Once I was snuggled in between my Mom and Dad, safely tucked away in their haven of rest (queen size bed) all fear quickly left my mind and body, and all was once again well with my life.
In verses 1 – 4 of Psalm 91 we were introduced to the One in whom we are safe, and the place in which we are able to dwell in His safety. The result is found in verse 5. Dwelling in the presence of my Daddy (my Heavenly Abba Father) removes all worry and fear. Being in His presence isn’t simply pulling the cover over my head, closing my eyes, and pretending that the evil one doesn’t exist. No, it is knowing fully that I have an adversary whose greatest desire is to kill me, and at the same time knowing that He will have to get through my Daddy in order to get to me. In my Daddy’s presence I have no fear, knowing that I am protected completely.
There are terrors that exist. There are fiery arrows that fly. There are attacks from demonic forces. There are dreadful things in this world. However, there is no worry or fear in me as I am in union with my Daddy, the Almighty, Most High, Creator and Ruler of all.
That is worth considering, as I ponder…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 215: Life in the Secret Place of the Most High (Psalm 91) Part 6 – Verse 5