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.
This passage of scripture tells us in no uncertain terms, that our safety and security depends on God. Even though we often take steps to protect our lives and property, yet without God there is no safety. God is very merciful in that His protective care extends even to those who do not serve Him, and though individuals and nations may boast of their superior security systems, yet ultimately, it is the Lord working behind the scenes to protect us from harm and danger, seen and unseen, who grants us security.
There has always been a disposition in man to trust to our own devices for safekeeping, and there has always been a tendency for us to take credit for successes in the various ventures we embark upon. Even in our day there is an obsession with security and a growing trend to place implicit trust in the many security gadgets and surveillance mechanisms that have been invented. But as we all know, there are security breaches that occur from time to time that greatly compromise our defenses. Computers are hacked, homes are broken into, cars are stolen, and millions of credit card numbers which were once thought to be safe from the reach of cyber bandits, have often been looted.
That's why the Bible teaches us in several passages, not to place implicit trust in our own devices, for safety is of the Lord. Let's read:
Psalms 33:16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. 17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. 6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. 7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
One day, a Christian was being threatened with violence by someone who seemed to be bereft of reason, and all efforts at reconciliation seemed to be futile. The Christian was being severely tempted to take up arms to defend himself, but whilst driving that day he found himself behind a slow moving vehicle. The vehicle in front of him just would not get out of the way, and try as he might, he could not overtake the car. Then he observed something written on the back of the vehicle which caught his attention, that immediately caused the stormy thoughts of his mind to be abated. It read: "Michael The Archangel Protects us from all our foes". Later that same day the volatile situation was completely resolved through the direct interposition of God.
There is a growing tendency to remove God from the human experience in our day, and to trust more and more in our own strength and wisdom. The Lord is reminding us that safety ultimately rests with Him, and that we should put our entire trust in the promises He has given us for our protection. We therefore end with a promise that we would do well to ponder when dealing with security and safety concerns. Let's read:
Psalms 34:7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
May we appropriate this promise as long as life shall last. "Good night" and God bless!