SEEK DEVOTIONAL

Psalm 91 is a significant chapter of the Bible. Beautifully written, encouraging, and filled with spiritual potency, there is something deeply transcendent about these sixteen verses. Its authorship is uncertain; most scholars attribute it to either Moses or David. Whoever the author was, they carried a deep revelation of what it means to find refuge in the Lord, and to fight an ancient enemy that still aims arrows at us all: fear.

Let me make a distinction. There is a healthy fear that keeps you from running into the street during dense traffic, adopting a pet alligator, or going outside in a West Texas hailstorm. That kind of fear might more accurately be called common sense. Then there is what the Bible calls the spirit of fear. This is not common sense, but an adversary bent on locking believers down with worry, anxiety, and terror. 1 John 4:18 is a well-known verse that is so helpful:

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.”

The first half of this verse is very familiar, but consider the wisdom of the second portion: “fear involves torment.” This is one of the best ways to discern whether you are experiencing healthy, normal fear or being influenced by the intimidating spirit of fear. Do you feel tormented and crippled by fear? If so, it is the adversary. It is not common sense, and it is definitely not from God. Your Heavenly Father does not torment His children.

So what is the fighting strategy if you find yourself contending with fear? Psalm 91 shows us the answer: find refuge and shelter in the Lord. This is not retreating or raising a white flag to fear, but returning to the strongest of strongholds. I love how Zechariah 9 prophetically declares it:

“Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.”

When the psalmist declares in verse 2 that God is his shelter and refuge, the picture in your mind should not be a flimsy tent with band-aids at the ready, but a mighty, unassailable fortress of immense and eternal power. From His throne, God commands myriads upon myriads of angels, and Hebrews tells us that we can “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Verses 14–16 show us the key. They say the best defense is a good offense, and in the spiritual battle against the spirit of fear, the best offense is wholehearted devotion to the Lord. This resonates with what we learned on Day 15 about spiritual warfare. If you remain steadfast in your love for God and dependent on His grace and mercy, when the adversary approaches, you will have your weapons sharpened and at the ready to overcome.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that I have not received a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. You are my shelter, Lord, and today I choose to rest in Your strength and Your love for me. Thank You that You have all authority over the enemy, and that I am in Your kingdom. If I face a battle today, remind me that You are with me no matter what.
In Jesus’ name, amen.