Yes, these are dangerous days. Illness, violence, accidents and a host of other unknowns surround us. However, some Christians have forgotten that our lives are not in the hands of men, the devil, or chance circumstance – they are in the all-powerful hands of God!
George Whitfield, the great preacher of the Great Awakening, faced constant persecution and threat. He said, “I am immortal, until God is finished with me.” Amen!
The psalmist wrote, “my times are in thy hand” (Psalm 31:15). The day of death is already on God’s appointment book and though death may come close every day I will not see it until it is the appointed day (Hebrews 9:27). This does not mean that we should not take care of ourselves or exercise common sense. It does not mean that we should not use medical means at our disposal or avoid unnecessary risks. But it means that, in the end, our lives are on God’s timetable and we can rest in that knowledge.
Do your part, but remember that protection, safety, health – all of it – comes from God. “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD” (Proverbs 21:31).
Certainly a Christian can be taken to heaven early. We are warned against living in rebellion to God and committing “sin unto death” (1 John 5:16-17). But if you are living in obedience to the will of God you can be certain that His protection is also yours.
Many of the Psalms were written at points in David’s life when he was on the run from enemies. Hiding in caves he learned that the safest hiding place is in the presence of the Lord. “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah” (Psalm 32:7).
I have a friend who labors in a very sensitive and sometimes dangerous part of the world. He is not there for comfort but because of God’s call. I pray often that God will keep His hedge of protection around their family, and I believe He will do that. He is doing that for all of us even when we are not aware of danger!
The writer of Hebrews says of God’s angels, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14). Angels are God’s security detail assigned to us because we have important work to do! Through whatever means God chooses, seen or unseen, He can providentially guide and guard our lives.
Think of the Lord Jesus, God’s Man. He came as a helpless baby, hunted by Herod, hated by powerful people, surrounded by peril, but He was hidden by the Father until the appointed time. Mobs moved against Him and leaders plotted and schemed for His death but repeatedly we read that “his hour was not yet come” (John 7:30).
There is only one Lord Jesus Christ, but all who follow Him are in the protective care of the Father. God has an appointed hour for all of His servants. Walking in His path you can be sure you will not leave earth a day early or show up in heaven a moment late. God is always right on time.
One of the greatest fears known to man is the fear of dying, but the Lord Jesus Christ came to “deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:15). Stop living in the chains of fear and begin to live in the liberty of faith. Your security detail is out of this world.
