In the second part of the series on Psalm 91, we learnt more of the place of safety we, as believers have, in the secret place of the most High God.

Last time Pastor Edward Evans spoke on this Psalm, he showed us how we can declare that God is our refuge and fortress and how he covers and protects us with his love, even as a mother bird protects her chicks under the cover of her wings (verses 1-4).

The Psalm continues with these promises (verses 5-7): 'You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destuction that lays waste at noonday.

'A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.'

We can be assailed with fears in our minds; the accuser will continually endeavour to intimidate us with darts (arrows) of accusation, but the word promises us that we can overcome every fear and that, even if evil is all around us, on the left and the right, it shall not take us.

The words of Jesus Himself in John's gospel, chapter 14, verse 27, give us the key to understanding this amazing promise: 'Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.'

The notion of peace, as most people understand it, is an absence of trouble and conflict. It is circumstantial. But this isn't the peace that Jesus is speaking of here.

In the preceding verses he had told the disciples that he would be going away (referring to his death, resurrection and return to the Father), but that he wouldn't leave them as orphans; he would send them the helper, the holy spirit, his very spirit to live in them.

When we receive the Spirit of God, we receive an internal peace that the world cannot give; a peace that is greater and more real than any circumstance we could be facing.

We do not need to fear; we are no longer slaves to fear: Romans 8, verse 15, says: 'you did not receive the Spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out 'Abba, Father.'

God is love; there is no fear in love and he has poured out his love into our hearts by the holy spirit whom he has given us (Romans 5:5). Indeed, 'perfect love casts out fear.' (1 John 4 v19).

The Spirit of love dwells in us; the question is, do we trust that love? God gives us another amazing promise in Romans 8 v 28; a foundation to overcoming fear in our lives: 'we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.'

We can be assured that in every situation and circumstance we have walked through or will walk through, he can bring about our good and his purposes if we will trust in him.

The text continues by reminding us that God is for us and not against us, and as we heard last week, that nothing can separate us from his love.

The Lord will allow us just enough hardship in our lives to cause us to lean more fully on him and to develop Christ like character, but we will never be overwhelmed if we keep looking to him.

Pastor Edward finished his sermon with these wonderful and encouraging verses in Isaiah 43 (v 1 and 2): 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.' Let us learn to hold onto that!

We meet every Sunday at 10.30 am at Emmanuel Gospel Church, Station Road, Manorbier, to which all are welcome.

Our web address is emmanuelgospelministries.org and phone number 01834 871975.