Psalm 91:5-8 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.
In 1 Peter 5:8, the devil is described as our adversary. The phrases “terror by night…arrow that flies by day…pestilence that walks in darkness … destruction that lays waste at noonday” refer to attacks by the devil, and describe those assaults as acts of war. Some of his actions are on display in our culture, while others we deal with privately and daily.
But the child of God, sheltered in the presence of God (see 91:1-4) looks on at the events in our day with peace in his heart. I get the image of Jewish families looking from their homes on the Passover night, and seeing there is a God that judges evildoers and protects His own.
Consider the following passages:
Psalm 27:3-4 Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident. 4 One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.
Psalm 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Proverbs 3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ”
Let’s sing: “So let the storms rage high, the dark clouds rise, they worry me for I’m sheltered safe within the arms of God…