Appreciate God's Protection
As my husband braked to merge into traffic streaming onto a two-lane bridge, I cautioned large trucks were coming. He pulled out anyway, and CRACK! I thought surely we were being crushed by a truck. But the truck driver swerved and hit only our side mirror.
Did an angel protect us? I don’t know, but I do know that God watched over us that day.
Our only daughter died in infancy, so why did God not watch over her? I don’t have the answer to that question either, but I do know that God is our Protector and she is now with Him. Our lives are in God’s hands.
God Protects Through Angels
“For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” – Psalm 91:11-12
An angel led Lot and his family safely out of the city before destroying Sodom (Genesis 19:16). An angel strengthened Jesus as He prayed on the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:43). Angels are mentioned approximately 100 times in the Old Testament and about 200 times in the New Testament, depending on the translation.
Angels assisted the early apostles and appeared in John’s visions in Revelation. Some people believe each person has a guardian angel.
God Protects Through His Word
In the book of Proverbs, the teacher shares with his son wisdom for living a good life and warnings against foolishness.
For example, “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.” – Proverbs 13:3
An angry response to another may lead to a fight. By using our tongues to build up rather than tear down each other, we avoid such dangers.
When Satan tempted Jesus to break His fast, to be reckless, and to grasp power, Jesus quoted scripture from the book of Deuteronomy. God’s Word protected Him from falling into temptation and failing to fulfill His earthly mission. And God’s Word protects us.
God Protects Through Salvation
We need not fear death. Christians walk only through death’s shadow (Psalm 23:4). Although our earthly life ends, with Christ as our Savior, we walk right on into eternity.
I recently read Psalm 23 by the bedside of a pastor dying of dementia. I personalized the psalm by reading: “The Lord is your shepherd, you lack nothing” etc.
This man had walked with God throughout his life. What a privilege it was to remind him of God’s protection as he prepared to move from earth to heaven.
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’” – Psalm 91:1-2
Questions for Reflection:
1. In which of the above ways have you experienced God’s protection?
2. What verse might you memorize to remind yourself of God’s protection?
