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One of the deepest needs of the human heart is that of peace, safety, and security. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 says, “While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’ then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.” People the world over think they can find or have found peace and safety through riches, armies, great oratory, security systems, and passcodes. However, what they miss is that the things of this earth are bound to rot and decay and prone to thieves breaking in and stealing. No human being will ever be powerful enough, rich enough, or smart enough to truly find peace and safety. It will always and only be a temporary illusion. Peace, both internal and external, can only be found through Jesus Christ.
There is an ultimate authority, a true constant, and a rock beneath the mire. Riches are not an ultimate security, but Jesus is. A gun is not ultimate protection, but God is. FDIC banking insurance is not ultimate safety, but our Lord is. He is bigger and better than even the things that we consider our safety and our shelter. In fact, only the Lord can grant us the true comfort of ultimate safety because we must come to rest only and totally in Him. Psalm 4:8 says, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.” Without the Lord, peace and safety is merely a mirage. It is far better to know that we are truly safe in the arms of our Lord than to hope in the strength of men. Psalm 91:1-2 says, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!’” No hole in the ground is the same as the shadow of the Almighty. No fortress is as secure as the arms of God. No army is as strong as the word of the Lord. Safety is found in Him. As Proverbs 18:10-11 says, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe. A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.” Any attempt to find safety in the power and strength of man is nothing more than a figment of our imagination. We must understand this if we are to put our trust fully in the Lord for our safety.
But what exactly is safety? The Scriptures already cited remind us that ultimate safety is not in riches, tall walls, and strong armies. In other words, it cannot be gained by the proper arranging of life’s circumstances, people, and events. Safety is found in the loving protection of our God. Psalm 91:14-15 says, “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.” We who love God, who know His name, and who call upon Him will be answered by God, will be ministered to by God in our times of trouble, and have the promise of His rescuing power and strength. Safety is not a guarantee that we will not have trouble in this life as the Scripture indicates, but it is always knowing that even if we are in the fire of various trials that we are still in the hand of God and joined by the immediate presence of His Son, just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were (Daniel 3:24-26). Safety is a result of the belief in and the firm knowledge of an unbreakable connection and an inseverable relationship with the Lord of the universe. It is a resting in the certainty of His ultimate control over our life’s events and that He even causes them to work for our good (Romans 8:28). This is something that the unsaved person has no guarantee of whatsoever, but it is God’s promise to those who believe. God is a God Who delivers, Who rescues, Who honors, and Who exalts. When God sets us “on high” with Him, though trouble may find us, no evil will we fear. As Proverbs 1:33 says, “But he who listens to me shall live securely And will be at ease from the dread of evil.” 2 Timothy 4:18 echoes this, saying, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Only let us be careful that we maintain lives of integrity. Proverbs 10:9 says, “He who walks in integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out.” Psalm 119:107 adds, “Uphold me that I may be safe, That I may have regard for Your statutes continually.” Those who study and seek to obey God’s commands are those who will walk with integrity and experience the ready assurance of God’s constant safe-keeping. When we sin and refuse to repent, we can expect God to allow the devil to buffet us until we turn back to Him (1 Corinthians 5:5). On the other hand, if we heed the words of wisdom contained in the Scriptures, we can hold tightly to the words of Proverbs 3:23-26:
“Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught.”
Safety is not the absence of trouble but rather knowing that God is with us and in total control every step of the way, even causing evil things to work for our good, for our blessing, and for our deliverance. As Isaiah 41:10 says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” There is no safer place than the righteous right hand of God.
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The Good News