Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

April 22– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“You will not fear the terror of night.” 

—Psalm 91:5

What is this terror of night? It may be the cry of fire, or the noise of thieves, or the shriek of sudden sickness or death. We live in a world of death and sorrow, so we may experience terrors at night just as we do during the glare of day. This should not alarm us, for, no matter what the terror is, the believer has God’s promise and will not be afraid. After all, why should he?

Let’s think a bit further about that. Why should we fear the terror of night? God, our Father, is with us and will be with us all through the lonely hours. He is an almighty Watcher, a sleepless Guardian, a faithful Friend. Nothing can happen without his direction, for even hell itself is under his control. Darkness is not dark to him. He has promised to be a wall of fire around his people, and who can break through such a barrier?

People in the world without Christ may well be afraid, for they have an angry God above them, a guilty conscience within them, and a yawning hell beneath them. But we who rest in Jesus are saved from all these through his great mercy. If we give way to fear, we will dishonor our profession of faith and lead others to doubt the reality of godliness. We ought to be afraid of being afraid and of grieving the Spirit.

So, down with you, miserable fears and groundless apprehensions! God’s tender mercies have not come to an end. It may be night in the soul, but there is no need for any terror. Children of light may endure darkness, but they are not abandoned. Indeed, they are enabled to prove their adoption by trusting in their heavenly Father as hypocrites cannot do.

“Though the night is dark and dreary, darkness cannot hide from you;
You are the One who never wearies, so watch your people the whole night through.” [M&E]