We must look to the Lord for safety. Looking to the Lord for safety doesn’t mean that we ignore safe practices. It is prudent to keep a gun on safe. It is prudent to keep valuable possessions in a safe. It is prudent to wear a personal flotation device when on the water. It is prudent to be safe. But it is foolish to think that because you have been prudent you can ignore the Lord. The Bible says, “Safety is of the Lord,” Prov 21:31. The Lord provides safety:
When we’re right with God – God promised Israel that he would keep them safe from their enemies as long as they stayed in a right relationship with him. In Deut 12:8-11, the Lord said that Israel would dwell in safety when the Lord gave them rest from all their enemies round about. But Israel didn’t always stay in a right relationship with the Lord. And so their enemies were given the upper hand until Israel got right with God. In 1 Sam 12:8-11, Samuel recounts how the Lord intervened in Israel against their enemies when they turned to him. He said, “and ye dwelled safe.”
During the millennial reign of Jesus, The Lord will keep Israel safe. Look at Jer 23:5-6. “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely. See also Jer 32:37-38, and Jer 33:15-16. You see, safety is of the Lord.
Today, you may not be in a right relationship with the Lord. However, if you will come to him in repentance like the prodigal son came to his father, the Lord will receive you and you will be “safe and sound,” Lk 15:27, because safety truly is of the Lord. If you are not feeling safe today, is it possible that your fear stems from not being in a right relationship with the Lord?
When we trust in him – Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe, Prov 29:25. The Psalmist wrote in Ps 119:117, “hold thou me up, and I shall be safe.” In Ps 4:8, David wrote, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me to dwell in safety.” It was the Lord that safely delivered David from the lion and bear when he was keeping the sheep. It was the Lord who gave David the victory over Goliath.
If you’re looking to something or someone in the world for safety, you are looking in the wrong place. The world has turned its back on God. And in the world, “when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them,” 1 Thes 5:3. The Psalmist said in Ps 33:17, “An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.” You’re not safe when the world says you’re safe.
The Lord is the only one you can trust for your safety. And when you fully trust him to keep you safe, you sleep easily at night. You don’t get anxious in times like these. Your confidence is not in things but in the living God.
When we hearken to his words – Whose hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, Prov 1:33. In Prov 3:21-26 you “walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble” when you “keep sound wisdom and discretion.” If you’re not feeling safe today in the midst of uncertainty in the world and in society, with the spread of the coronavirus, the volatility in the markets, the riots in major cities, the uneasiness in foreign relations, etc, perhaps you’re neglecting your Bible and listening to media more than to God.
Now is the time to draw close to God and to pray. Read the words of God. Obey God’s words. Follow what he says. He leads you in the right way. And he will keep you safe.
Conclusion: safety is of the Lord. He will keep you safe when you are in a right relationship with him, when you trust him fully, and when you hearken to his words. If you aren’t saved today, he will save you and keep you safe from the devil. If you are saved and you have been feeling unsafe, get in the Bible and trust the Lord to keep you safe. He will.