“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 4:8 (ESV)
Series Focus: “Through His Eyes”
Don’t you love feeling safe, free from danger, protected? Every night before we go to sleep, my husband and I diligently lock our doors and set our house alarm. Of course, there are some occasions I am the last one up, and I may stumble up to bed forgetting one or both of those things—oops. For added measure, we also have a very protective watch dog, whose bark will scare anyone off our property in seconds.
Although we’ve never experienced a night in which our alarm system has had to save us from danger, we continue to set it “just in case.” While that alarm offers some feeling of security, in reality, it could fail at any time leaving us unprotected. With a world full of uncertainty, we all may feel the need for a safe haven—a refuge—now more than ever. Would you believe there is only one thing you even need protection from? Yep, that’s correct! One thing: an enemy who is out to steal, kill and destroy your ability to say yes to life and no to death.
Join me in the book of John. Let’s discover how powerful God’s protection is for those who call upon His name. That’s right. if you are a child of God, you are protected.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28 (ESV)
Jesus says we, who follow Him, will have eternal life, never perish, and cannot be taken from Him. This doesn’t mean our physical bodies are immortal. It means our true life—the one we inherit after life on earth—is secure. Our souls are held by the Most High God. There is nothing the enemy can do to harm us once in the arms of our Savior.
Satan-our enemy-will taunt us, lie to us, bring sickness upon us, and even try to draw us away from abiding in Jesus as we live in our human bodies. Do we have protection in those moments? Yes, we do! However, we also have choices. In our hardships and trials, Satan will tempt us heinously, that we would not look upon the joy of our salvation but the treasures and pleasures of this world. But scripture assured us, God always provides an exit strategy from those temptations.
“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.”
(James 1:13 ESV)“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV)
Our life on earth may never be free from danger, sadness, or physical harm, but our eternal life cannot be taken from us as we choose to follow Jesus and abide in His Word. He has overcome the grave that we may have an abundant life!
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV)
Let’s allow our minds to have a renewed view of what we mean by safe. Just because we may have suffering or pain here on Earth doesn’t mean God doesn’t hold our life in His hands. Your eternal resting place is safe, assured, and most definitely protected by your Savior!
Rejoice in the truth – you are protected!
Holding Fast to Hope,
Jen
Scripture References: Psalm 4:8; James 1:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13; John 10:27-28, 16:33, 10:10