He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1 [NASB])
In Genesis 15 and Psalm 91, both writers speak about the
terror of night. What does this mean? For David, the man God appointed to lead
His people, Israel, and a commander of an army, the terrors of night might have
meant an army sneaking up and taking him and his army by surprise during the
night. It could have meant the depression of the minds of his men as they
awaited the battles of the next day. Or, in looking back on his life as King,
it could have been the time David awaited his and Bathsheba’s son’s death. He feared
it and understood the punishment was because of his sin with Bathsheba. David’s
sin caused the death of the child. For Abram, the terrors of the dark night could
have been the kings he and his allies defeated to get his nephew, Lot, out of
captivity. The terrors that day showed his fear of not having an heir.
Terrors and fears begin in the hearts and minds of people. Satan
puts the terrors and fears in our hearts and minds to distract us from the One who
casts out darkness and brings light and truth to a situation and to life. Paul
stated in 2 Corinthians that Satan “blinded the minds of the unbelieving so
they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.” In 2 Corinthians
11:14, he said, Satan must disguise himself as an angel of light to
trick people, to “blind” them. Satan is not from the light of God; he is darkness
and brings darkness.
This state of mind need not happen; people can avoid being
tricked. How? John said in 1 John 1:5, “This
is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light,
and in Him there is no darkness.” We can choose to follow God and have His
power to defeat Satan and the darkness in which he tries to envelope us. God is
more powerful than Satan and that is why Satan must resort to trickery. He
knows the goodness and love of God will win people’s hearts and minds. John
said in John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not
comprehend it.” The darkness could not break through the light, but God’s light
casts out darkness. Darkness cannot exist where light is.
What does this mean for us? How do we defeat the terrors of
night and live the life for which God gave us the vision? With hope. With belief
in God. Abram’s biggest fear as of Genesis 15 was that he would die with no
heir. That was his darkness, the “terror of his night.” As Abram rested that
night, God told him He would give him an heir and descendants too great to
count, just like the stars in the heavens. Abram was in God’s presence. God’s Spirit
came in the form of a smoking oven and flaming torch to seal His covenantal
promise to Abram (Genesis 15:17). Abram dwelled in God’s presence and slept with
His peace.
David defeated the terrors of the night and the arrows that flew by day by being in God’s presence, too. He
said in Psalm 91:1, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide
in the shadow of the Almighty.” David had learned from experience that God was
his refuge and fortress. He had learned to live in the presence, in the shadow,
of Almighty God. David was like any other person born; he sinned. Still, David
recognized God as His Lord and repented when he sinned. He trusted God over all
things.
David knew from Whom to seek shelter, comfort, provision,
guidance, and protection. He recognized Who was almighty. David had learned to
dwell in the shelter of the Most High. He had learned to live in the shadow of
God. David didn’t worship God on the sabbath then live the rest of the week
solely in his own strength and with his own wisdom and reasoning. He had
learned how to live while being with God. Abraham lived while being with
God, too. These men recognized God as being sovereign over the world and over
their lives. What terrors could defeat them? None, not with God as their
strength, hope, refuge, and fortress.
What terrors haunt you? What causes you fear for your future
or for now? If you are a Christian, you know Jesus as your Savior, the One who
redeemed you from Satan and the power of sin and death. You already have the
victory because Jesus has overcome the world. Jesus said in John 16:33, “These
things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you
have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.” When you are a
Christian, you already have victory from the terrors of darkness and the arrows
that fly by day. Remember that. Believe God will protect you and don’t allow
the darkness of Satan to creep into your mind. If you aren’t a Christian, you
can have this peace and hope. You can have redemption from sin and death and
take refuge in God when Satan tries to force darkness upon you. Believe Jesus
is the Son of God, the Savior who died for your sins, so you can have eternal
life with Him in heaven. Give your terrors from the darkness to God and let Him
be your light and refuge.
As we each live our lives and live the vision and calling
God gives, we must live in His presence, under His wings. Don’t leave to do His
work, instead do the work He calls you to do while you are with Him. Abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
You can’t row a boat without paddles. You can’t live life
as God’s child without God.
God’s
calling doesn’t mean we leave His presence to work.
It means
working WITH Him.
Lord, I’m a mess.
I say I am Your child, but then I later find I am not with You. I have walked
off living my life by my own reasonings. In my busy-ness, I forgot to stay with
You and live life with You as my guide, refuge, and strength. I trusted You with
my life, but then I took it back. Lord, help me remember to live in Your
presence, to live life as You lead and provide. You know all things and are all-powerful.
I know only the small part of my life that is in front of me now. I cannot see
the past or future and so I really don’t know how to live as You want me to
live. Lord, forgive me for walking in my own way. Forgive me for taking control
of my life. Forgive me for making my heart, mind, and body my gods instead of
You. You are merciful and kind. You are faithful and continue to love me. Lord,
I give my life to You. Please guide me with each breath I breathe and each beat
of my heart. Amen.
