You have lifted your voice to heaven again and again with that urgent cry, "Keep me safe," and it reaches the ear of the Lord of Hosts. It is the prayer of a soul that feels its own weakness, and that is a gracious sign, for when we are weak, He is strong. Let the answer come to you from His own Word: "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust." See the tenderness there, not the cold plate of a soldier’s armour, but the warm, living shield of a mother bird. There is homeliness, relationship, heart-working in it. He would not merely protect you from danger, but communicate a sense of comfort and happiness, making you feel at home under the shadow of the Almighty. So rest there, as a little chick under the soft feathers, and let your soul be quiet.
Yet the fear still rises. Then hear the Lord’s own command: "Fear not." He does not qualify it; He does not say, "Fear only in moderation." No, the precept is absolute, "Fear not." Why? Because fear dishonours God. Doubt the Eternal? Distrust the arm that piled the heavens? That is a traitorous fear. Has He not said, "I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee"? Here is a whip of many thongs to drive fear away. Everything in the future is appointed by God. You fear some unknown harm, but it is also appointed that His help shall meet it. You tremble at the thought of peril, but it is fixed that you shall be carried through. In the good ship of Providence, with a Captain who has forearranged all things from the beginning, how safe you are! The storm may howl, but the helm is in hands that cannot err.
Think not that this fear is a small thing. It weakens you, and it gives the lie to God’s promise. To fear man or circumstance is to make an idol of the creature. The only fear that becomes you is a holy awe of God, a childlike reverence that flows from knowing your sins are forgiven. But the fear that clamours, "What shall become of me?", that is to be chased away. When your heart cries out in terror, look to Jesus. He who stilled the sea with a word now whispers to His trembling servant, "It is I; be not afraid." Let that voice silence the inward tempest. If you have fled to Him for refuge, you are immortal till your work is done; no real harm can touch that part which is hid with Christ. Men may threaten, but "fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul." Disease may come, but He has said, "I will make all his bed in his sickness." Each hour, each place of difficulty, is made secure to the faithful soul that rests beneath the wings of the eternal God.
Therefore, bid your unbelief depart. Cast yourself on the promise: "I will help thee, saith the Lord." Then why should you fear? Amid the wreck of matter and the crash of worlds, safe, safe, safe shall you be, for you are near your God. Let this oracle roll sweetly into your soul and give you peace. Amen.