A message from the Deeper Life Bible Church |20 March 2020

2020: ‘We are safe in the Almighty’s hands’

“This is the first quarter of 2020, and, as usual, many challenges of life, like storms, will arise along the way. Really, there is no denying that we live in a world of unending evils, troubles, crises and calamities.  Right from the time Adam and Eve were cast out of the divinely-fortified Garden of Eden, mankind has been plunged into a world of miseries and fearsome challenges.  Some of these challenges are natural while others are supernatural; some are general while others are personal.  And as the inhabitants of the world continue to drift farther away from God by embracing the ways and ideas of the devil, the general situation in the world can only get worse.

But in the midst of all the crises and insecurities of the present world, God’s love and care for His own remains unchanging, undying and unfailing.  True children of God need not lose sleep over what is happening around them today or what may happen tomorrow; for, whatever happens , “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty….Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.  Thou shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.  A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked…There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.  They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.” (Psalm 91:1-12).

Pitfalls of human safety methods

What most people do, when danger seems to lurk around them, is to panic and worry like the disciples. In their desperation, many take various measures to ensure their continual safety and prosperity. High fences with barbed wires are built around their buildings and guards and dogs are placed at the gate to ward off intruders. Stringent nutrition and fitness rules are observed to ensure good health and avoid sickness. People take vast investment portfolios saving for the rainy day. But despite all these measures, the evils that men fear still come upon them. Robberies, killings, financial losses, diseases and disasters still occur daily, even in the most guarded and “secure” areas.

The failure of human preventive measures to guarantee maximum safety has led many to seeking supernatural alternatives. They consult false prophets, magicians, palm readers and occult practitioners for protection and enhancement of their fortunes.  Many lives and homes have been wrecked by the activities of these satanic agents who promise safety but deliver calamity. They promise peace and prosperity which they themselves do not possess, thereby taking advantage of the gullible and worsening their plights.

Placing one’s confidence in man-made inventions and safety strategies will, sooner or later, result in disappointment and frustration. That is for sure. But even worse is the resort to satanic measures which will not only result in regret on earth but also damnation in eternity.  The devil helps no one. He is a vicious villain who, “cometh not but to steal, to kill and to destroy” (John 10:10). This is why God strictly warns His people. “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.  For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD.” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). All who seek help, protection and prosperity from satanic agents are an abomination to God.  And no abominable person will obtain God’s favour in any area of life.

Only in Jesus Christ can we find true peace and security, as well as solutions to all of life’s troubles. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:16, 17). He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Rock of Ages and the Ancient of Days. Any safety, protective or corrective efforts that ignore Him will prove useless in times of need. “The horse is prepared against the day of battle, says the Scripture, “but safety is of the Lord.”  “Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain” (Proverbs 21:31; Psalms 127:1).

Portrait of God’s protective care

Like an affectionate mother, the Lord constantly watches over His children to keep them from being harmed by the vicissitudes of life. He says, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee…Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee” (Isaiah 43:2;49:15). So, even though the whole world seems to be falling apart, and everyone is trembling with fear and despair, there is no cause for alarm for all who belong to God.

The story is told of a mother and her four-year-old daughter who were preparing to retire to bed at night but were afraid of what might happen during the night. As the lights were turned off, the child caught a glimpse of the moon outside the window. “Mother,” she asked, “is the moon God’s light?”  “Yes,”said the mother. The next question was, “Will God put out His light and go to sleep?” The mother replied, “No, my child, God never goes to sleep.” Then out of the simplicity of a child’s faith, she said something that revived the mother’s faith and reassured her of God’s abiding protection. “Well, as long as God is awake, there is no need for any of us to stay awake.” And they both slept peacefully, without any dangers.

Don’t stay awake all night because you’re worried for your safety or the safety of your family members. Let God take care of the situation for you. If you cast all your cares on Him, “He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber… The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul” (Psalms 121:3-7). You are safe and secure in His protective hands. David Livingstone once asked, “Shall I tell you what supported me all through those years of exile among a people whose language I could not understand and whose attitude towards me was always uncertain and often hostile? It was this: lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:20). The Lord has promised to be with you in all situations and He will never fail you, if you continue to lean on Him and hold on to His promises.

And why should you worry or fret about the prevailing (or predicted) downturn in the economy? The economy of the Kingdom of God to which every true Christian belongs knows neither recession nor inflation; it knows neither austerity nor scarcity. The storehouses of heaven are never short of resources and supplies.  It is therefore pointless to worry about the necessities of life or the resources to get them. Indeed, “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing… I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seedbegging bread” (Psalms 34:10; Psalms 37:35).

Proofs of roofs of God’s faithfulness

What a rich and full package of promises of comprehensive protection, preservation and provision we have!  And they have been fulfilled in the lives of God’s children down the ages.  Jacob, Joseph, the Israelites on their way to Canaan, King David, Elisha, the widow of Zarepath, Daniel, the disciples of Jesus Christ, the apostles of the Early Church and a host of others enjoyed divine protection and provision all through their lives.  But the testimonies are not limited to Bible saints only. There are numerous modern day stories of God protecting and providing for His people when things seemed tough around them.

Pathway to all-round safety

Now, take note of this: God’s protective cover is wide ranging enough to meet all human needs, and all His creatures are safe in His hands.  But His special, continuous blessings are reserved for his true children only.  Only His true children may experience the fulfilment of His great and precious promises that pertain to life and godliness. Therefore, if you desire to enjoy His all-round safety in this world of insecurity and uncertainty, you must do five things:

• Come to him. “Come unto me”, Christ implores, “all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
• Confess your sins. Coming to Christ for fellowship isn’t enough to start a relationship with Him. You must confess your sins and ask for pardon in Jesus’s name. Until you have obtained His pardon, you can’t enjoy His special privileges.
• Correct your ways. It isn’t enough to confess all sins; you should also repent of them all, for confession without repentance won’t earn you divine pardon. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).
• Claim His provisions. Once you’re a follower of Christ in thoughts and deeds, you’re entitled to all the special blessings that God gives to His people in His name. The blessings of all-round protection, preservation and prosperity are stated in His word (The Bible) and can be claimed by fervent praying with faith. Once you commit your life’s issues to God in prayer, you should believe and count it settled. God doesn’t disappoint his people.
• Continue in faith. Your consistency in faith and fellowship is the only guarantee for continually receiving God’s intervention in your affairs. “If a man abide not in me,” the Lord warns, “he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:6). Continual obedience to God’s word will earn you His security and support every moment of your life. “But whoso hearkeneth unto me,” the Lord promised, “shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil” (Proverbs 1:33).

If you give your heart to Christ and remain steadfast in your walk with Him, you can live through 2020 and for the rest of your life in the safety and abundance of His hands.  Believe His words, claim His promises, and you will be safe!

Richard Louis

For: DEEPER LIFE BIBLE CHURCH 

Tel: 2631194