The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
Psalms 118:6 (NIV)
What can mere mortals do to me?
People naturally fear what others might do to them. We know we cannot control others and we know that people can be selfish and harmful. Therefore, it is normal to feel unsafe in a world filled with humans. God knows this too and wants to be our rock of safety. In this Psalms the psalmist (who was probably the king) was thanking God for delivering him from other nations that sought to ruin the Jewish kingdom. He was not afraid of mere humans because the all-powerful Yahweh was on his side.
Under the New Covenant God’s people have no kingdom in this age, but the principle of the verse still applies. The verse is quoted almost exactly in Hebrews 13:6. The idea of this verse is also presented in Romans 8:31 “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NIV). Paul says this after he teaches that God predestined his people to be conformed to the image of Christ. He goes on to explain that God will give us all things and nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ.
Thus, Paul’s point is that if God has predestined us to be conformed to Christ’s image, in other words, to restore his image in us, then who can stop him? In the Psalmist’s language, what can a mere mortal do to prevent me from becoming like Christ, which is the most blessed state imaginable for humans? And if God has decided to give me all things in time, then are there any circumstances that I should fear? Who can take away what God has already decided to give to me? This is why our souls can be victorious in every circumstance and why ultimately we do not need to fear any harm that a mortal might do to us.
