God Protects
Protect: to cover or shield from exposure, injury or destruction; to keep safe; to watch over
God’s promise of protection is evident throughout the Scriptures. In Genesis He promises to protect Abraham, in Exodus God sends an angel to guide and protect His people. We read how He protected Noah, Joseph, Daniel, the three in the furnace, David, even Job and countless others with His power and His deliverance. It’s not as though these people were spared from difficulties. On the contrary, they faced difficulties that often seemed insurmountable. Yet God delivered them, demonstrating His power, His faithfulness, His love and protection.
In Psalm 91 we find God’s promise of protection. However, the promises found here are conditional. In verse 1 we read, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. To dwell means to live in; to be settled; to stay; to keep the attention directed upon.
Verse 2 continues, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” In verse 14a we read, “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him.” So we see that God promises of protection are in place when we keep our attention directed upon God, and when we trust Him and love Him.
In verse 11 God gives this promise, “For He will give His angels charge concerning you.” Angels are mentioned often in God’s Word. They are given as an assurance of God’s presence and watch care. In Exodus 23:20 God gives His people this assurance as they escape from Egypt, “See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you.”
Often in the Scriptures, God is referred to as “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” In Matthew 26:53 Jesus speaks of this heavenly army saying, “Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?”
Recently God’s protection was demonstrated in an unmistakable manner. The granddaughter of my friend was traveling on a busy highway where the traffic often slows down and many times comes to a complete stop. As she approached the slower traffic she could see that the cars were stopped so as she slowed and began to stop she glanced in her rear-view mirror. She saw her two baby daughters safely sitting in their car seats and then saw a car approaching at a high speed. Fearing that she would be rear-ended she braced for the worst, but the car swerved, fish-tailing as it passed, only sideswiping her car. What could have been a serious crash was only damage to the side of the car. All inside were safe with no injury. She said the babies didn’t even cry.
When the accident account was relayed, someone said, “I’m glad that driver had enough sense to avoid rear-ending the car.” I believe that The Lord of Heaven’s Armies directed His angels to prevent the serious crash and delivered this young mother and her two babies from harm. Yes, there was trouble, but because this young mother loves and trusts God and has a grandmother who prays for her, she was protected and delivered from harm. In Proverbs 2:8 we read, “He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.” As we keep focused on God, obey Him, trust Him and love Him, God protects.
God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. 2 Samuel 22:31
What a great reminder that God is always with us. I am thankful that the young mother and her children was not harmed.