Understanding Protection

 In the war of the colonists against Great Britain, Benjamin Franklin wrote:
In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection.  Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered.  All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor . . . And have we now forgotten this powerful friend?  Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? ​

As the Apostle Paul neared the end of his life, he shared with his young protégé, Timothy, about all the hardships he had endured: desertion by Demas (vs 10); harm from Alexander the coppersmith (vs 14), and his friends deserting him at his first trial defense.  In reading through Acts and Paul’s letters to the churches, it is evident that he suffered a lot in serving God.
 
Meditation
2 Timothy 4:18--The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
 
Psalm 121:7 states, “The LORD will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life.” This is likely a psalm of ascent sung by Jews walking towards the hills of Judea, approaching Jerusalem. God promised many times in the Bible to protect His people.  And He did as we read in story after story.
            
Today, God still protects us who trust Him.  Many of you can share a time when God directly spared you from an attack, an accident, or a lurking tragedy.  Perhaps He healed you from an incurable or dangerous disease. Paul, on many occasions, cited God’s protection over his life and ministry. Yet, the reality is that we, like Paul, also experience suffering, and it can feel overwhelming in both duration and severity. 
            
If we believe we should never suffer, that God will protect us as His children, we are set up for failure. When we get hurt, we are apt to blame God. The reality is that the Earth is full of suffering, and we inhabit it.  God will protect us when it is according to His plan, and He will allow us to suffer when it fulfills His purpose. Jesus is the perfect example of this. Lack of protection does not mean there is no God or that He does not care about us. Nor does it mean we sinned and deserve it, although that can be a consequence.
            
​Paul shares the ultimate protection solution. Upon our deaths, God will rescue us who follow Jesus, bring us safely to heaven, and put an eternal end to suffering.  Protection is assured. God will be glorified. We pray for His safeguarding in life, and we trust in His protection for eternity. This is what should encourage us and keep us looking forward. There will be an end to pain and maladies. Praise God!
 
Inspiration
“May the perfect grace and eternal love of Christ our Lord be our never-failing protection and help.”—Saint Ignatius
 
©2025 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)