Are We Safe?

Much of the media's coverage in America has been focused around this question since last week when a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and a devastating tsunami hit Japan. Now the nuclear threat is at the forefront and let me say quickly that my heart breaks and my prayers go up daily for the people who have been affected in that country.  With that said, let me answer the question that Americans are asking...

NO!  From a natural standpoint, we are not safe from the time that we draw our first breath. Some have not been safe even while in the womb. The good news for us who have believed in Christ Jesus as our only Hope is that we don't view life from a natural position.  Danny and I were talking at breakfast this morning as the Good Morning America hosts were exploring how we can be safe. Yes, parts of the USA sit on fault lines and some of those cities have nuclear reactors there. Could a catastrophic earthquake hit these areas? YES!  I said to my husband as we sat at the table that when I saw an armored vehicle parked in front of Kroger this week, I asked God to comfort the family of the driver who was gunned down just a few days ago as he delivered in broad daylight with customers entering and exiting the store. Criminals are emboldened today. Are we safe at the grocery stores, the malls, the restaurants, (Longhorn, in particular :) ), our schools, our playgrounds, even our churches? NO!

Danny shared with me a few days ago that a friend had sent him a satellite image of the world showing all the planes overhead night and day. Are we safe as we fly and as we sleep underneath those skies in our homes at night? NO! Think about this- every time that you get out of your car safely, even if it was a half-mile trip, we need to thank God because the statistics of people on the roads who are taking prescription and illegal drugs and drinking alcohol are staggering.  Are you safe on those highways? NO!  Now that you are thoroughly depressed and hiding in your downstairs storm closet, (because tornadoes strike with no warning ), let me give you the good news from the Good Book!  From Proverbs 21:31, let me answer the argument of "well, Deborah, if the picture is as bleak as you paint it, do we just throw it all to the wind and hope for the best?"  The wise man wrote- "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the LORD."

I think, as our parents were prone to remind us, we are to use the good sense that the Lord gives us. I wear my seat belt, I watch my surroundings, especially when I am out and alone, we lock our doors when we sleep at night. I go to the basement when the skies turn green and the siren blows uptown BUT I know that in doing all those things and more, my safety and my deliverance comes from the Lord. We can and should eat healthy and have preventative check-ups but a new name is on my prayer list who is only 17-mo. old. Andrew has neuroblastoma, his parents are missionaries in Ireland, and isn't a baby having cancer unexplainable?  I read their story and their trust is in the Lord!  We don't control life, do we?(Go to Pray for Andrew Mullins (Ireland) ). Pray with me for this little fellow and his family, will you?)

Ps. 33:17 instructs us that a country's safety is not in their military might. "There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength."  Should we have a strong military? YES!  Is that where our ultimate victory resides?  NO! Verse twenty of the same chapter tells us that "Our soul waiteth for the LORD: He is our help and shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name."  I have always loved Proverbs 18:10: "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and is safe."  I know that I write to Christians today and you did not panic at my worst case scenarios and the news doesn't keep you up at night. You, like me, have read the back of the Book. We are confident in Whom we have believed and are persuaded that He is faithful and fear doesn't rule our lives, even in these perilous times in which we find ourselves.

Just maybe, though, one reads today and does not have that confidence. Maybe that is the reason God impressed my heart this morning to muse the thought of "are we safe?"  Run to Him as He draws you to His side and you will be safe, no, not from all of life's problems, burdens, and yes, even seemingly catastrophic events but safe in the hands of a Savior Who is safe in the hands of His Father.  I was reading in 1 Sam.22 this morning where Saul is seeking David's life and he kills 85 priests and a whole city of men, women, children, and animals because he resents their help to David. One escaped and told King David of the terrible events and I was so blessed to read what  David says to him- " Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but with me you shall be safe."  The King resides in our hearts and our lives today and therein, we are safe. Oh, for sure, the body may be and will be destroyed, sooner or later, maybe by disease, natural causes or some tragic happening. I don't know that but I do know this- never will we be safer than when we step from this life to Home with our King forever!

Are we safe? You can bank on it- safe and sound in the presence of our KING!

 - Deborah

"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe." Prov. 29:25