He’s Your Comfort And Assurance For The Days Ahead

Many believers find it difficult to have true comfort and assurance for their wellbeing, safety, and protection when they hear news of what is transpiring around the world. Daily we’re all bombarded with news of the latest attacks in another part of the world and in our own country. The world is definitely not in peace or at peace. Those trying to steal what peace there is continue broadcasting the horrible situations through fear.

So, how is a believer to handle these days? In prayer, standing on the Word, trusting Jesus for yourself and your loved ones. That’s why we’re digging into Psalm 91. It doesn’t contain words that are out of date since King David penned it thousands of years ago and therefore you could think it is obsolete. Far from it. The Holy Spirit made sure this particular psalm would be included in the Old Testament to give hope to God’s people in troubling times.

Start first by establishing yourself in verse 1 (NASB): “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” That’s your position as a child of God. God is your protection, and when you ground yourself in the righteousness God’s given you through Jesus, you’ve got all of Heaven backing you up and are on-call when you have a need. You’re established and live in His shelter.

But let’s dig further into this psalm for the hope YOU have as a child of God, verses 5-8 NASB:

⁵You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day;
⁶Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
⁷A thousand may fall at your side And ten thousand at your right hand, But it shall not approach you. ⁸You will only look on with your eyes And see the recompense of the wicked.”

We all want protection no matter where we live. This psalm remains pertinent no matter what time in history it is received. The truth of God’s protection and deliverance is not just for the ‘last days’. It is for every day of your life. Don’t forget that.

No matter where you live, you do not need to be afraid of the terror by night or those weapons that destroy during the daytime. Can you see God has you protected 24/7? You can trust Him as you stay in His shelter, continuing in His righteousness in you, and trusting Him. When you’ve been delivered from trying to earn God’s blessings or salvation, you move from self-effort to what God has already given you through Jesus. You no longer operate from shame and guilt or fear, but from the position as a beloved child of God because Jesus has redeemed you. This is the position and place of your security and safety.

Then as you continue in God’s love and grace, secure in your position of safety in Him, you won’t have to be afraid of the arrow that flies by day or the pestilence that walks in darkness, let alone destruction at noonday. Granted we don’t live in the days of bows and arrows but those represent danger and destruction the enemy wants to unleash on the world—and does. I see the pestilence that walks in darkness as the works of the enemy in attempting to steal your health. Do you see God’s protection is 24/7?

Again, all of these ‘attacks’ attempt to get us into FEAR. Remember, as a child of God you have NOT been given a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). You don’t have to operate in fear. There is no fear in God’s security, presence, shelter, and love. Fear is what the enemy uses to tie you in knots rather than in security trusting God. Notice verses 7-8. Even IF a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, God promises it won’t come near you. You’re secure and safe in His presence. He’s got you covered.

The more you meditate on the Word and fill yourself with God’s promises, the less room there will be for fear. God’s promises encourage and build you up. Fear divides your mind/thinking. It deletes, subtracts from the truth of God’s blessings. You have been given power, love, and a sound mind, a disciplined mind dwelling on God’s goodness and provision (2 Timothy 1:7).

No matter whatever disaster you hear on the news, you can be assured you’re delivered. I recall the testimony of a soldier a few years ago sharing how he and his platoon daily recited/prayed Psalm 91 before the day got underway. Their chaplain encouraged them in God’s love and His protection for them. The ultimate testimony was one of deliverance for this group of military men in horrible combat attacks. They were all delivered and continued to give testimony to God’s protection and promises.

God does not use fear to ‘get us in line’. That’s a horrible evangelism tool. Jesus continually shares His Father’s heart: “I love you. I’m here for you. I’m your safety and protection. You’re my child.”

You can stand on these verses; confident the Lord is with you and protecting you. No matter the days ahead of you, put these verses into practice today. Let these verses settle in your heart, convince your mind of His truth, and daily walk in their truth.