“Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.” – Psalm 119:114
When I was a young child, there were times when sounds in the middle of the night would frighten me. I would imagine all sorts of things as the cause, and to protect myself, I would pull the blankets on my bed up over my head. I suppose I hoped that if there was anything to be feared lurking in the shadows, it wouldn’t find me under the covers, and I would be safe.
I am an adult now, yet sometimes odd noises in the darkness of night make me pause, and my heart quickens just a bit as I ponder what it could be. I no longer hide under the blankets on my bed. Instead, I seek solace from another safe haven. I rely on verses of the Bible that I have memorized over the years. Some are Scriptures that I learned as a child in Sunday school, while others are verses that I have come across as recently as the past week.
God’s Word is truly a refuge for me. Whether I run to the Bible because I am fearful of my safety, apprehensive of situations I cannot control, or feel the oppression of forces in the spiritual realm, I know that the Scriptures will provide all I need to feel safe and secure. Why? Because they reassure me of how much God loves me and promises to care for me.
Here are just a few fearful circumstances and some of the verses upon which I depend for inner peace.
- Nighttime Noises
- Psalm 4:8 – “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”
- Health Issues
- 2 Corinthians 12: 8 – “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
- Financial Woes
- Philippians 4:19 – “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
- Personal Direction
- Psalm 23:3 – “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
- Spiritual Understanding
- Psalm 119:130 – “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
- Uncertainty of the future
- Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD< thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
The Bible tells us that we need not allow fear to overwhelm us because God is always with us, and He never fails us. “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them; for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) No matter what the future holds, we can be assured that God Himself holds tomorrow in His hand.
I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day
I don’t borrow from its sunshine, for its skies may turn to gray
I don’t worry o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said
And today I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead
Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
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As a child, I ran to my father whenever I was afraid. As an adult, I run to my heavenly Father, who is faithful to love and protect me.