We live in a world soaked with sorrow and marred by death, and no hour is immune to trouble. But the promise of Psalm 91 is not that danger will never exist—but that the believer shall not be afraid. This is not a shallow encouragement; it is a strong declaration rooted in divine reality.
“You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day.”
— Psalm 91:5 (BSB)
Nighttime often seems to draw out our deepest fears. In the quiet and darkness, our imaginations stir and anxieties creep in. The “terror of the night” could take many forms—an unexpected illness, the cry of danger, a sudden loss, or even the shadowy fears that have no name at all. It may be the screech of tires outside your window, the echo of a siren, the weight of grief, or the whisper of dread in the lonely hours before dawn.
Why Should We Not Be Afraid?
Let’s make it personal: Why should we be afraid?
God is here—and not only in the daytime but in every sleepless hour of the night. He is not like man, who slumbers and grows weary. The Lord is our almighty Watcher, our sleepless Guardian, and our faithful Friend.
“Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”
— Psalm 121:4 (BSB)
Darkness is not dark to Him. The terrors of the night, though real, are never beyond His control. Even hell trembles under His sovereignty. He has promised to be “a wall of fire around” His people (Zechariah 2:5), and there is no force that can breach His protection.
The Difference Between Worldly Fear and Holy Trust
For those outside of Christ, fear is a fitting companion. With an angry God above, a guilty conscience within, and eternal judgment beneath, the terrors of the night are just a foretaste of a deeper dread.
But we who are in Christ have been delivered from all of this. We rest in mercy, not wrath. Our conscience is washed in His blood. Our eternity is secured in His grace.
To give way to foolish fear, then, is to forget the goodness of our God. It dishonors our testimony and may cause others to question the reality of our faith. Fear, when it becomes distrust of God’s love and power, can grieve the Holy Spirit.
Let us be more afraid of being afraid than of anything that might cause fear. For our God has not forgotten how to be gracious. Even when it’s night in our soul, His mercies are not asleep.
Faith That Endures in the Night
Yes, children of light may sometimes walk in darkness—but not without a Companion. In those seasons, their faith is proven true. They trust in their Father, not because everything is visible, but because He is faithful.
Let us then silence every anxious whisper and cast down every fearful thought. Not because the night isn’t dark, but because our God is brighter still.
“Though the night be dark and dreary,
Darkness cannot hide from thee;
Thou art he, who, never weary,
Watchest where thy people be.”
Hints for Preachers and Teachers
- Define the “terror of the night”: Help listeners identify personal fears they face in silent or uncertain moments.
- Contrast the believer and the unbeliever: Show how relationship with God makes all the difference in how we face fear.
- Challenge believers lovingly: Encourage trust in God as a witness to the watching world.
- Incorporate the imagery of Psalm 91: Explore themes like God’s shadow, His wings, His refuge.
- Use real-life examples: Help people connect biblical truth with their daily struggles, such as illness, grief, or anxiety.
Conclusion
The darkness may be thick. The night may feel long. But the people of God are never alone. We are watched, guarded, and loved by a God who does not sleep. The “terror of the night” has no final say—not over our peace, not over our destiny.
So let your heart be still. Rest in the One who keeps watch while you sleep. He is your shelter, your shield, and your everlasting light.
A Closing Prayer
O Lord, our Keeper, thank You that we need not fear the terror of the night. You are near in every shadow, watching over us with perfect love. Drive away our anxious thoughts and help us to rest in the safety of Your promises. Teach us to trust You even when we cannot see, knowing that You never change, never slumber, and never forget Your people. Amen.
Learn Christ 