What Makes You Feel Safe?
“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
Americans really value security. We install various alarms, dead-bolt locks on our doors, and get barking dogs to protect our homes. We purchase firearms and take courses in self-defense to protect ourselves. What money we have is usually placed in FDIC insured accounts or safes, so it can’t be taken or lost. Some of us have financial advisors to make sure our limited funds are wisely invested, to ensure our future financial well-being. We load up on insurance: life, accident, disability, home-owner’s, flood, dental, health, liability, auto, traveler’s—and even pet insurance. We do everything we can think of and afford in order to put safety nets around our loved ones and ourselves. At all cost we want to avoid catastrophe, misfortune, and ruin. But we can’t.
We simply can’t cover all the bases. Life is unpredictable, full of sin, betrayal, and destruction. So much of it is out of our control. There’s no broken-heart insurance, no loneliness insurance, no “I can’t believe he left me” insurance. While it is prudent to protect our assets, plan for the future, and be “preventative”, there’s just no way we can completely protect ourselves from pain and suffering. The truth is there are a lot of people who spend their whole lives trying to feel “safe”, only to end up lonely and depressed.
The Good News is that God cares; He offers us joy and salvation. He offers us security today and for all eternity…and it’s free! When we put our trust in Him, when we long for Him more than anything or anyone else, when we store up our treasures in heaven, we find the peace that passes understanding. We find joy amidst the struggle. We find hope and strength when even the worst in this life happens. When we know Jesus, we are never alone. God’s offer isn’t a gimmick. It’s real security, and He guarantees it.
Our security is guaranteed by the presence of the Holy Spirit: “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us and set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 Cor. 1:21-22
Our security is guaranteed by Christ’s intercession: “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?… No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:34-35, 37-39
Our security is guaranteed by God’s power: “To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy…” Jude 1:24
Feeling more secure? Know that God is faithful and His love is everlasting. Put your hope in Him; He won’t let you down.
The Power of Truth:
“You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.” Job 11:18
“And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.” Psalm 39:7 (NLT)
Suggestion for Prayer:
Give God your worries and rest in the security of Jesus Christ.