Safe & Secure

In today’s world we are all looking for safety and security. We install antivirus software on our computers to keep from being hacked. We have home alarm systems and put padlocks on storage units to keep the contents safe. You probably have a list of twenty or more passwords you use to keep your accounts secure. Hopefully you run an annual credit report to see that your financial information has not been compromised. Most companies have sophisticated privacy and security policies and procedures intended to both safeguard their data and protect against unauthorized access of that data. Homeland Security is just one of many governmental agencies charged with public security.   

None of the safety and security measures I just mentioned are bad things. But they do at times fail us. Maybe your computer gets infected with malware even though you have virus protection. Neither your home and storage unit are completely safe from theft; seasoned burglars know ways around alarm systems and padlocks. You are a victim of identity theft even though you have secure and encrypted passwords. You are very careful and cautious when paying for purchases with plastic cards, but when you pull an annual credit report, you are surprised to find that someone in Brazil has fraudulently opened a credit card in your name. Despite computer network firewalls that monitor and filter incoming and outgoing network traffic, data breaches and ransomware attacks continue to create widespread havoc.    

We all want assurance that what we do and where we go will provide us safety and security. And while you can never be 100% guaranteed regardless of the number of protections in place, you can find total safety and security in life’s troubles when you place your trust in God. (Notice I did not say exemption from life’s troubles, but rather, safety and security in those troubles. See John 16:33.)

Psalm 121 is a wonderful reminder that we have safety and security in God. It is the second of fifteen psalms (120-134) known as The Songs of Ascent. Among Bible scholars there is no real consensus as to what this “ascent” refers to. Among the most common interpretations is either these psalms were sung by worshippers as they ascended from Babylon to Israel three times a year for the festivals or that these fifteen psalms were sung by the priests as they ascended up the semi-circular steps within the Temple.

Here is Psalm 121 in its entirety – I lift up my eyes to the mountain –where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord,the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand;the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

And with God’s promise of safety and security also comes His peace – Numbers 6:24-26, Psalm 29:11, John 14:27.

The New Living Translation puts Proverbs 3:25-26 like this – “You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security [confidence]. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.”

God wants to give you the safety and security that is only found in Him through a personal relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. Right now, will you fully surrender your life to Him, either for the first time, or if you have let your relationship wane, will you recommit yourself to Him?

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