Protection

​At 2:47 a.m. the house shuddered.  I looked over at my sleeping wife and asked if she had noticed anything.  Since the dogs were not barking and I felt no sense of urgency, I drifted back to sleep. About a half an hour later, the doorbell rang and our two canines erupted.  I opened the door to two policemen, bright flashing lights and the reality that an abandoned car sat atop the berm in front of our home. 

Strangely enough before I had gone to bed I had asked the Lord to provide an illustration for my message the next morning on God’s protection.  There it was, right in front of my sleepy eyes!  
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After we moved into our home, our neighbors informed us that the house had been hit several times by cars that failed to stop at the intersection.  Not comfortable with the danger that a vehicle could crash into the room our boys occupied, I built a long berm.  All the long hard work paid off with the realization that it worked.
 
Meditation
Psalm 32:8--I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel.
 
Jesus knew we would face many trials and dangers in this life.  He was well aware of Satan’s capability to inflict harm and that people who hated Him would hate His disciples.  Before He left His followers to return to glory, He prayed for their safety. “Holy Father, protect them by Your name that You have given Me, so that they may be one as We are one” (John 17:11b). We, who call Him Lord, are included in His prayer for safety.  

An out-of-control car may not be the handiwork of a rapacious devil, but it is a good reminder of how important it is that we pray in the powerful name of our God for protection.  Are you troubled?  Does fear sit inside you like a bad cavity?  Run to the One who is able, the One described as omnipotent. Have the mindset of David who long ago wrote, “I keep the Lord in mind always.Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8). 
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If your confidence in the providential care of God is rock-steady, still persist in praying for His protection on others as well as yourself.  Jesus set the example!  Additionally, we should thank our Heavenly Father for the angels He’s assigned in our overwatch.  Even a pile of dirt can be cause for praise!  
 
Inspiration
I know not where His islands lift 
Their fronded palms in air; 
I only know I cannot drift 
Beyond His love and care.
—John Greenleaf Whittier in The Eternal Gardens
 
©1999 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)