Safety IS Of The Lord. 02/07/14 (Evening thought)

Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.

We are living in a world where we are becoming increasingly obsessed about safety. More gated communities are being constructed, more neighborhood watches are being established, more surveillance is being done, thousands more security cameras are being installed everywhere, more body scanners are being put in place, and more and more security check points are being set up; yet from time to time the occasional terrorist, the occasional mass murderer, the suicide bomber, and more often than not, the ruthless hacker seem to slip through the cracks. Even for the upcoming winter Olympics in Sochi Russia, extensive security measures are being implemented, for fear that some terror group may strike randomly. The present condition of our world was actually prophesied in the scriptures. The rapidly decreasing sense of security constitutes one of the signs of the last days. Looking forward to our present day, Jesus accurately predicted the conditions that would ensue just prior to His second coming in the clouds of Heaven. Let's read:

Matthew 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;   26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

The apostle Paul also echoed the same sentiment in writing to Timothy:  2nd Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

These prophecies pertaining to the issue of safety were not however written to cause us to become uneasy, distraught, or suspicious of everyone. They were written to remind us that,  (1) The God of Heaven is cognizant of what is happening on the earth, (2) That we should always put our trust in Him, and (3) That Jesus Christ will one day bring and end to human woe and usher in His kingdom of Righteousness. But while we are waiting and watching for His soon return, He bids us consider the following verses and promises to help us understand that He is still in control, and that all those who put their trust in him, can abide safely under His shadow, knowing that all things work together  for good to them that love God. Let's read a couple of these verses:

Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.

And then The Lord reminds us that our safety does not depend primarily on the multitude of security measures that are being put in place, nor is it necessary for us to be constantly obsessed and nervous about safety issues. All of our efforts to secure our homes, our businesses, our communities, and our nation would be futile, were it not for the direct intervention of the Lord in our behalf. The Bible is very clear on this point. It reads:

Psalms 127:1  Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

And so, instead of worrying about our safety, God invites us instead to pray without ceasing, knowing that His angels encamp around those who serve Him. This promise should be of more value to the Christian than all other security measures combined. One day, a good friend of mine went strolling in the park with her husband who was a pastor. As they were walking through a wooded area, a large black bear appeared out of the woods and stood before them in a threatening manner. They could not outrun the bear, nor could they defend themselves if it attacked, so what were they supposed to do? Pray. And pray they did! They called upon the name of Jesus and without doing or saying anything, the huge animal turned and disappeared back into the woods.

While it is true that as Christians, we should take appropriate measures to ensure some level of safety, yet we should never lose sight of the fact that ultimately, "safety is of the Lord". Let's put our trust in Him, for He is faithful in all that he has promised. "Good night" and God bless!