5 Days – An Introduction To Reading The BibleНамуна

Overcoming Fear  

The fears of life are many and varied. Yet the most common command in the Bible is, ‘Do not fear.’ 

In this psalm, the writer is celebrating his own confidence in the sheltering providence of God. 

‘If you . . . make the Most High your dwelling . . . then no harm will befall you’ (vv. 9–10). He is, of course, not saying that everything will turn out just as you want it to. It does not mean that you can avoid times of ‘trouble’ (v. 15). However, you can be assured that God is involved in every detail of your life for all eternity. 

1. The psalmist testifies from his own experience (vv. 1–2) 

Four names for God are given. He is ‘the Most High’ – everything is under his control. He is ‘the Almighty’ – the all-powerful one. He is ‘the Lord’ – the universe is subject to his lordship. He is ‘my God’ – he is in a personal relationship with you and me. 

There are four metaphors of security here: you are safe in his ‘shelter’, ‘shadow’, ‘refuge’ and ‘fortress’. Therefore, you can be totally confident of God’s protection. 

2. The psalmist speaks to us (vv. 3–14) 

He promises God’s protection from every kind of danger (vv. 3–6), Then he says that God is like an eagle, protecting you under his wings, giving a picture of his tender love (v. 4). His ‘faithfulness’ is a ‘shield and rampart’ (v. 4), a picture of military protection. He promises release from the ‘terror of night’ (v. 5) – the sudden fears, often out of proportion, that prevent us from sleeping. He also promises protection from sudden attacks or disasters (v. 6). 

The writer promises God’s individual protection from ultimate harm (vv. 7–10). 

The psalmist even promises miraculous protection, saying that God promises to send his ‘angels’ to look after you (vv. 11–13). 

3. The Lord himself speaks (vv. 14–16) 

God promises eight wonderful things: rescue, protection, answered prayer, his presence, deliverance, honour, long life (you now receive ‘eternal life’) and, most important of all, salvation. 

It is not that you can go through life without facing problems, difficulties and sadness. But it is possible to enjoy the security of knowing that God is in charge and, whatever happens, you can be sure that you are loved, protected and ultimately perfectly safe forever.