Psalm 91, Verses 1-2 showed us the confidence we have under God’s shadow. Verses 3-8 lets us know that those who trust in the Lord should have no fear.
We should know that the Lord our God has everything under control. When we are confronted with spiritual warfare, we should not be afraid. He is the God of our salvation. Moses and the children of Israel learned that when God went out before them in the wilderness, they conquered their enemies. David testified, “The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of thousands and the Lord is among them,” (Psalms 68:16).
Psalms 91:3-8 shows all kinds of hidden and spiritual dangers that assail us and attempt to destroy.
The adversaries of our souls want us to assume that they come against us with impunity. There are many devices and schemes of the devil. While we look at these spiritual attacks, remember that “the Lord has ascended on high, has led captivity captive, and has given gifts among men,” (Psalms 68:16).
After we consider the ways we are under attack, we will look at the provision of the Lord’s deliverance, shelter, protection, aide, faithfulness, and freedom.
Psalm 91:3-8 NKJV Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
The Psalmist laid before us spiritual and physical attacks and devices that render some people terrified and immobilized with fear.
The enemy comes against God’s chosen ones attempting to steal, kill and destroy. You need to know that you are in a position of strength and God has already made a way of escape for everything that comes against you. Most of these dangers are the kind of snares and attacks that are unseen and make the strong as vulnerable as the weak.
The snare of the fowler
Have you felt that you were a prey for the enemy’s trap? The enemy’s trap is a plot to catch you when you are not prepared. Everything is going well and then the trap. The snare of the fowler is unseen until it entangles the prey.
Perilous pestilence
Maybe you have been fighting the perilous pestilence. The New Living Translation calls it “deadly disease.” The perilous pestilence is any kind of sickness and disease that destroys. All kinds of sicknesses and diseases fit into the perilous pestilence that stalks in the darkness.
Destruction that wastes at noon day
These are the kinds of attacks that devastates. Destruction is “abaddon” the realm of the dead. The word is translated “destruction” and “destroying.” These are the kinds of things that waste your strength, vitality and spiritual well being. They are spiritual and physical attacks that devastate and destroy.
Terror by night
Terrors come to intimidate people and cause them to hide in fear.
Arrows that flies by day
These are the fiery darts of the wicked that seem to come out of nowhere.
The idea of the various ways we all face spiritual and physical attacks and devices could make even the strong faint and grow weary.
Psalms 91 is a testimony of God being our refuge and fortress.
When you are up against attacks you need to know that the Lord your God is a very present help.
Put your faith and trust in the Lord for He will not fail you.
Psalm 91:3 NKJV Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.
The Lord is your Deliverer. He will deliver you from hidden or unseen dangers. The Word of God promises protection when you come against the seen and unseen. You need to know that hidden and unseen dangers will come. Many people have said, “If I would have seen it coming…” The adversary of your soul roams about as a roaring lion seeking whomever he may destroy.
How can you know for certain that the Lord will protect you?
Psalm 91:4 NKJV He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You are not facing the hidden and unseen dangers on your own. The Lord your God is with you! You shall be covered with the Lord’s feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge. This is the place of safety and comfort even when you are facing unknown dangers. God wants you to have so much faith and trust in Him that you do not fear in the face of the fowler’s snare or when the deadly pestilence comes.
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
Your shield and buckler covers you even when you face hidden dangers. The shield is before you and the buckler is a hand held shield that covers you.
What is “His Truth?”
Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) In John 17:17, Jesus was praying and said, “Your word is truth.” In John 16:13, He said, “The Spirit of truth, will guide you into all truth… He will speak whatever He hears…”
There is a Word from God that even sets captives free.
As a believer we must base our life on the truth and not on the lies of the adversary.
You should know that the Lord has never abandoned His people. He is our shield and buckler. He is our refuge and fortress. He is the Mighty God.
Here is the truth about your current situation.
You are covered with His feathers, and under His wings you have refuge. When the Lord is your shelter, you are protected against the secret and hidden attacks of the enemy.
Hebrews 13:5-6 NLT For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear.”
Psalm 91:5-8 NKJV You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
As a result of trusting in the Lord we will not fear.
“I will not fear.”
This was the challenge the children of Israel faced when they were walking through the wilderness and when they went in to posses the land of their inheritance. Their trust in God was challenged when they first sent spies into the Promised Land. Twelve strong men went in to see if the land was fertile or poor, if there were many trees, and what kind of fruit was in the land. Ten of them came back with an evil report. Filled with fear, they said, “We cannot go up to possess this land, it is filled with a people that are stronger than we are.” (Numbers 13:31-33) They thought they looked as small as grasshoppers in the enemies sight.
Have you felt intimidated with the things you are facing? God is going to give you strength, courage, and help.
Joshua and Caleb said, “It is a good land that flows with milk and honey.” “Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid.”
When the Lord is with you, do not be afraid!
Regardless of the evil that comes in the day or night, God is your protection. You shall not be afraid. God has not promised that you will escape trouble, but you can expect the Lord’s blessing, covering, and help. What if some unexpected and unseen trap, disease, or disaster comes? You shall not be afraid for the Lord is with you.
It is good to remember that Moses wrote Psalm 91. He faced all kinds of unexpected disasters and needs. Enemies attacked. The people became hungry and thirsty. It seemed to some that the promise had failed, but God was faithful.
God has a prepared place for people who are overcomers.
Don’t become fixated on the pestilence, destruction, or thousands that are falling at your side.
In Psalms 124, David said, “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side…” We would have been swallowed up quickly. The water would have overwhelmed us. The stream would have gone over our soul. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers. The snare is broken and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
Whatever you are facing, God is your help and strength. He will be your shield and buckler. He will be your refuge and fortress. He will be your healer and deliverer. No amount of trouble is greater than the Lord our Strength and Deliverer.
Some snares need to be broken today. Somebody needs to be set free from fear and distress. The Lord is here to set you free.
