What is this terror by night? It could be the cry of "Fire!" or the sound of breaking glass. It might be shadows that play tricks on your eyes, or the sudden phone call that brings devastating news. We live in a world of death and sorrow. Trouble finds us just as easily in the dark hours as it does under the broiling sun.

But this should not alarm us. Whatever the terror, the promise stands: the believer shall not be afraid.

Why should you be afraid? Let me ask it more directly—why should we? God our Father is here, and he will be here through every lonely hour of this night. He is an almighty Watcher. A sleepless Guardian. A faithful Friend. Nothing—absolutely nothing—can happen without his direction. 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?

Worldlings may well be afraid—they have an angry God above them, a guilty conscience within them, and a yawning hell beneath them. But we who rest in Jesus? We are saved from all these terrors through rich mercy.

Listen to me: if we give way to foolish fear, we dishonor our profession and lead others to doubt the reality of godliness. We ought to be afraid of being afraid, lest we vex the Holy Spirit by foolish distrust!

Down, then, with dismal forebodings! Away with groundless apprehensions! God has not forgotten to be gracious, nor shut up his tender mercies. Yes, it may be night in your soul, but there need be no terror—the God of love changes not.

Children of light may walk in darkness, but they are not therefore cast away. No! They are now enabled to prove their adoption by trusting in their heavenly Father as hypocrites cannot do.

"Though the night be dark and dreary, Darkness cannot hide from thee; Thou art he, who, never weary, Watchest where thy people be."