A God Who Protects Us - The Crosswalk Devotional - August 3
A God Who Protects Us
By Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“The Lord will protect you and keep you safe from all dangers.” – Psalm 121:7 (CEV)
Did you know there is a God who will protect us and keep us safe from danger?
I was reflecting on this Biblical truth one day while observing a professional actress watch over her baby girl as she filmed their day together on social media.
Her toddler was acting cute in front of a mirror as she played with a rubber band in her hands. But as soon as her daughter put the rubber band into her mouth, Mom said in a high alert tone of voice, “That’s dangerous!” She put her phone down and went to rescue her daughter, taking the band out of her baby’s mouth before she could choke and die. Just like any good parent would drop everything to save their child from danger, we have a God who will protect us at all costs.
The Bible shows us that God is a good Father who cares about our well-being and safety. He will always be there for us if we let Him. God warns us about danger but sometimes we’re too stubborn and shortsighted to listen. However, God still covers us and protects us.
Another example about how God protects us is a cartoon I saw in a Christian publication many years ago. There was a big fence bordering a plateau on spacious land. A man ran toward the fence shouting that he’s tired of all these restrictions around him. His friend chased after him saying, “Stop! The fence is there to protect you!” But the man proceeded to jump over the fence and fall to his death because he didn’t realize that the fence was protecting people from falling off the steep cliff behind it. I think that illustration rings true for us as mere mortals today.
This cartoon reminded me of our human condition. As humans, our wisdom is limited. We can only see so far ahead of us. We can only be wise to an extent. This is yet another reason why we need God. Sometimes, we feel like God is restricting us or keeping us from having fun. When we’re wanting to gratify our fleshly desires and do what feels good or enjoy what looks good in the sinful moments, we cannot see the consequences behind it. So just like the shortsighted man in that cartoon, we rush toward the restrictions, determined to either bulldoze through it or jump over it. But we don’t realize that such a brazen act could end our life. The Bible says in Proverbs 14:12 (NLT), “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”
This is why it’s so important to trust God and seek His infinitely wise counsel before we make our plans and proceed down any path in life. God wants to protect us but we have to be willing to listen to Him and obey Him. It’s so easy to forge ahead in whatever direction we believe we should go. When we do this, I imagine God as our Heavenly Father shaking His head and perhaps letting out a heavy sigh thinking, “There they go again.” However the good news is, nothing we do ever surprises God. The Bible says He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10) and He has planned all our days (Psalm 139:16). God knows when we’ll mess up and He’s made provision for our mistakes. He’s also provided a way out of every temptation every time we’re tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13).
God gives us His grace when we make mistakes because He knows we’re not perfect. He forgives us for our trespasses when we repent and ask forgiveness. However, this is not a reason to continue sinning and disobeying God because we still will reap the consequences of our sins. The Bible says God disciplines those who He loves (Hebrews 12:6). Just like our earthly parents discipline us when we’re growing up so that we can become responsible, moral and kind adults, God as our Heavenly Father has our best interest at heart and wants us to become more like His Son (Jesus Christ).
There have been times in my life when I thought I knew what was best and pursued that path only to have it hurt me or be a dead end. There have also been times in my life when I prayed to God for wise counsel and was led down the right path. Such as when I was trying to figure out my path in life concerning my career. I sought God’s counsel, and He helped me major in the right field at that time when I was a college student. As I started that journey with God, I felt a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). This peace wasn’t limited to career-related pursuits; God gave me peace every time I chose His plan over mine. He helped me see the wisdom in seeking Him first and asking Him to align my desires with His so I can want what He wants for me.
We all face challenges in this life but when we trust Christ to be our Savior and Guide, we can survive everything we go through. Ultimately, we know that no matter how our earthly existence ends, we who have followed Christ faithfully have an eternal home in Heaven. And in Heaven we will be safe forever. But while we’re here on Earth, we need to remember that our Heavenly Father puts parameters in place to protect us and when we stay within those boundaries and obey His will then we will be safe (Psalm 91). It doesn’t mean that we still won’t have to go through storms in this life, but it does mean that God will stay with us in the storm and protect us as He helps us to arrive safely to our destination.
I hope this message has encouraged your heart. In closing, I’d like for you to listen and reflect on two songs.
Song of Reflection #1: “God of All My Days” by Casting Crowns.
Song of Reflection #2: “Good Good Father” by Chris Tomlin.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
How does it feel to know God is a Good Father who will always protect us and keep us safe? Have you asked God to guide you?
Further Reading:
Psalm 27:14
Psalm 32:7
Psalm 46:1
Isaiah 41:10
Isaiah 54:17
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Massonstock
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