Part Three

Deadly Sandstorms: What Happens in the Darkness?

Psalm 91:5–6

 “You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon” (vv. 5–6).

 Terror by night is the absence of light. In the light, you can see and understand. However, in the darkness, just as today, ancient folklore told of demons and evil spirits who lurked in the opaque atmosphere of night. When you are alone at night, not knowing who or what is out there, you need not fear, for God will protect your soul and your being.

“You will not be afraid”

 Arrow that flies by day is not a human weapon, rather, metaphorically some demonic power. – “Perilous times will come” (2 Tim. 3:1). “The Lord will protect you from all evil: He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever” (Ps. 121:7–8; cf. Song 3:8).

 Pestilence (that stalks in the darkness): The context is that of demons or envoys of evil. – Pestilence caused by,  or is the demons.

 Destruction (that lays waste at noon): The Hebrew word is qetev meaning “destroying, to cut-off, to scourge” like that of a scorching desert wind or a deadly sandstorm. – New Mexico…

Points to Ponder

1. God protects in the darkness, where there is no light, and at noon, when the brightest of the light shines.
2. Jesus taught his disciples, “What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops” (Matt. 10:27).
3. It is in the darkness that we learn to listen to Jesus. It is during the times of trial and uncertain circumstances that He whispers in our ears. – Jesus speaks intimately in moments of pain, fear, and suffering.
4. To hear Him, we must be quiet. If we talk or move around busying ourselves with “helps,” we may not hear. Be silent and pause. – Frenzied activity is often confused with spirituality (Tozer)
5. Listen to what God wants to say through God the Holy Spirit, and then, in the light, shout it from the rooftops or simply share with your neighbor or loved one.
6. Through the discipline and the pain, we learn that in the darkness humility comes and our hearts grow into clay from stone, and then we can hear God.

Often, when tested, we are humbled.

Quotes on humility:

Humility, after the first shock, is a cheerful virtue.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

“I am certain that I never did grow in grace one-half so much anywhere as I have upon the bed of pain.” – Charles Spurgeon

“When you suffer and lose, that does not mean you are being disobedient to God. In fact, it might mean you’re right in the centre of His will. The path of obedience is often marked by times of suffering and loss.” – Chuck Swindoll

“I am not a theologian or a scholar, but I am very aware of the fact that pain is necessary to all of us. In my own life, I think I can honestly say that out of the deepest pain has come the strongest conviction of the presence of God and the love of God.” – Elisabeth Elliot

“When you become consumed by God’s call on your life, everything will take on new meaning and significance. You will begin to see every facet of your life – including your pain – as a means through which God can work to bring others to Himself.” – Charles Stanley

*Concerning pain and humility, a rabbi’s disciple came to him and said, “In the olden days there were those who saw the face of God. Why don’t they anymore?” The rabbi replied, “Because nowadays no one can stoop low enough.”-  (Steve Leder, More beautiful than before: How suffering transforms us, Hay House, Inc., 2017, 119)

 #4: To hear Him, we must be quiet. If we talk or move around busying ourselves with “helps,” we may not hear. Be silent and pause.

“Lord, thou hast given us thy Word for a light to shine upon our path; grant us so to meditate on that Word, and to follow its teaching, that we may find in it the light that shines more and more until the perfect day, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
— Jerome (ca. AD 342–420)

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chron. 7:14).