Safe

Safe by Pastor Gary

In Psalm 18:2 we read, “I will love You, O Lord, my strength.The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (N.K.J.V.). In light of the horrific events of this past week, there are many wondering about their safety. It is events such as these that shake our securities and make us come to a realistic evaluation of our vulnerabilities. Could that happen in my state? Could it happen in my town? Could it happen in my school, or place of employment? Certainly!

We want to believe that we live in rational society that observes and respects individual rights, laws, and civic responsibilities. There are, however, a growing number of individuals who are mentally and emotionally unstable. There is an ever increasing number of individuals that do not respect our laws, and have no regard for civic responsibilities. We live in a “pressure-cooker” culture and one never knows when or where the next individual is going to explode.

A shepherd boy in Israel faced a similar situation. His musical talents had catapulted him to the pinnacle of success; he was asked to play for the king. Unfortunately, it was the king that became mentally and emotionally unstable. He focused all of his venom and hatred on the shepherd boy. David wrote in Psalm 61:2-3, “When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy” (N.K.J.V.). David knew what is was to have his world shaken. He was in the safest building and environment in the whole kingdom, the palace. Yet, it was there that the unthinkable happened. The “pressure-cooker” of leading a nation caused the king to explode.

When our world is rocked and we wonder about our vulnerabilities, we need to do what David did. He recognized that any security that he thought he had in this life, apart from the protection of God, was a false security. God is our refuge and high tower! It is not our government, state, culture, or immediate environment that makes us safe. God is our refuge in time of trouble. We, as Christians, must not succumb to the temptation of becoming fearful. It is understandable that those who do not know the Lord respond to such tragedies in fear, but as Christians, our response should be one of faith! God is still in control. The answer to feeling secure is not in better security measures on campuses, or Homeland Security (although such appropriate measures should be taken). True peace of mind and physical safety rest in the Lord. In Proverbs 18:10 it states, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (N.K.J.V.).