Protected by the king...
What does it mean?
- In the early years of my marriage, while we were living in Yorkshire. One particular Sunday we went to pick up a family to take to church. I was overwhelmed with pain, the headache I was encountering was too much to bare. So the lady of the house, suggested I stay and sleep it off in her house while they go to church. I could barely handle the light so that was exactly what I did. It didn't take long for me to fall asleep, and I woke up when they got back. Sounds pretty straight forward and nothing wrong with it. Well.. as they were making their way through the house, into the living room I heard the lady of the household say "oh, Sharon must have been downstairs, the television is on" those words may have been a simple phrase to the one saying them, but to me, it was a terrifying sentence to hear. Why, well I hadn't moved from that bedroom. I was asleep the entire time they were at church. It wasnt till some time later on did we find out she did have a spirit living in her house.
- One school morning we all were taking our two oldest girls to school. Right in front of the school there is a pelican crossings, ideally so it's safer for the children to get to school without being hit by cars. This one particular morning as we were crossing, baring in mind the green man was showing, the sound was blaring, and the red light for the cars was definitely glowing red. But one driver didn't notice, and had to slam his breaks. To all those who drive when you slam breaks the car still skids a bit. But this particular time if that had happened that way our girls and another child would have gone flying, but this car stopped with out any movement forward, like as though something was in its path stopping it from going that little bit further. It may not have been much to others but to us, it was undeniably the work of those angels God assigns to look after us.
These are just two examples in my life of when God has protected me/us as a family. You see the bible says he emcamps his angels to protect us. Psalm 34:7.. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them... Hallelujah. So many times God has saved us, stopped death from grabbing us. I have often said the angels are working over time in our lives. So many things like to creeps it's way into our lives. Things destined to kill steal and destroy. Because that is exactly what the devil loves to do. He once knew the beauty and majesty of God, but followed by his own selfish desires found himself thrown out of heaven only to suffer, awaiting his final judgment and punishment. So what does he do? Make It his priority to tear down every human being he can possibly get his hands on. What's your immediate reaction, it won't happen to me? I won't let it happen to me? Maybe it's something different. But the reality is it does happen to us, it happens to every single one of us. We've all fallen short some way or another. Maybe we've told a lie, even a white lie. I know I have. Maybe we've stolen, even a chocolate we knew wasnt ours. I have. Maybe we've passed a judgement on others, even in our minds. I certainly have. It was the reason people found me funny when I was younger, the moment I took my faith seriously and stopped. I was tossed out, like garbage on bin day. These are just small examples on how he gets us. What about murder. I've never killed anyone but I've come close with my husband and my mom. Did I mean to, no.. But God showed me in those moments how easy it was for those who have committed the crime. One of my judgements growing up was how could anyone do such things. Well, let's see, how did I? All it took was an argument, the wrong button pressed. What does the bible say on such a crime, in Matthew 5: 21-22 we read; “You have heard that it was said to an older generation, ‘Do not murder,’ and ‘whoever murders will be subjected to judgment.’ But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment.
Wow, how many of us have been outraged by someone's careless actions, hurtful words. I certainly have. Anyway, enough of that. It's enough to make you cringe. But that is not why I'm writing this. Though it's important to understand how easily it is to fall into the corrupt plans of the devil. The good news is Jesus. Jesus died for our sins, so we can be washed clean from the judgement that awaits the devil. God didn't design us to one day say screw you. He designed us to live in his loving care in close relationship with him. But don't worry, I haven't written this blog so you can go cry in bed because we all have sinned to some degree. No, I'm writing this to show perfect examples of how, despite our mistakes God looks after us and protects us from situations that cause harm, physically, emotionally and mentally even spiritually. I've often looked back and realised how much God was doing that I couldn't see, yet at the time I thought he was a million miles away.. And through things that I was told should hurt, I didn't feel a thing. Like recently, during my 12 hours of driving. One gland in my throat had swollen and my throat was sore, also with cold like symptoms coming on, yet the exact 4 hours each day I was driving, It was like a shield of protection came over me. I didn't feel a thing. It wasnt til I'd finished that I felt the symptoms again. But I didn't mind let a lone even care or think about it because pure joy took over.
There is one niggling question that a lot of people face with the idea of a God that's is meant to be all loving and protecting and that question is, why is there bad things happening in the world?. Which in all honesty is a fair question. There is never a bad or silly question. And this sort of question I'm sure at some stage in life we've all come too. Even my daughter of 6 asked me why are some people not nice and some people nice? To which I responded, everyone has a choice, we can choose to be kind or we can choose to be horrible. Unfortunately some people choose to not be nice. Like wise with the grand picture of the world. Our actions have a ripple effect also known as the butterfly effect on those around us. Let's see what the bible says and how it links to God's protection...
Matthew 25:34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ ” (ESV)
1 corinthians 8: 9-12
Be careful, however, not to let your freedom of action make those who are weak in the faith fall into sin. Suppose a person whose conscience is weak in this matter sees you, who have so-called “knowledge”, eating in the temple of an idol; will not this encourage him to eat food offered to idols? And so this weak person, your brother for whom Christ died, will perish because of your “knowledge”! And in this way you will be sinning against Christ by sinning against your Christian brothers and sisters and wounding their weak conscience.
Now God's promise of protection..
Psalm 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him
Psalm 138:7 Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me.
You see God's ways are higher than our way and his thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and though it may not be a popular choice, in the long run, whatever his will is, leads to everlasting life. God can see the ins and outs of this world. He can see what we can't, he can see and knows when a stumbling block is coming. Like when something doesn't go to how we planned and we immediately think why??. Then at some point down the line it does come together, you look back and realise why you had to wait. Or on the other hand you could of pushed so hard and God would say have it your way, but later realise the bigger opportunity is passing by. How many of us have done that.
This image may not be a stumbling block. But it's the perfect way to visibly show what trusting in the Lord and knowing he'll keep us safe is all about. It may look like we are losing out, it may feel like we are walking life with a blindfold, but from experience trusting in God is the best decision a person could make. Opposition comes from every direction, friends, family, neighbours, work, church, and so on. But God asks us to trust him and he will make our paths straight and protect us. That doesn't mean we will never see trouble, because we will. But it does mean we can stand firm like the man who built his house on a rock, the rains came down the storm arose but he was safe and his house stood firm. Jesus is our rock, in him we have our hope our authority against opposition, and our shelter. So can you. Be blessed.
Let's pray
Father, life may bring many challenges, obstacles and trials. But Lord you word says you will protect us. Help us be sensitive to your spirit so we can know and follow your will for our lives. So we aren't mislead and stumble. Help us to be positive even amongst opposition and negativity in Jesus name amen.
Wow, how many of us have been outraged by someone's careless actions, hurtful words. I certainly have. Anyway, enough of that. It's enough to make you cringe. But that is not why I'm writing this. Though it's important to understand how easily it is to fall into the corrupt plans of the devil. The good news is Jesus. Jesus died for our sins, so we can be washed clean from the judgement that awaits the devil. God didn't design us to one day say screw you. He designed us to live in his loving care in close relationship with him. But don't worry, I haven't written this blog so you can go cry in bed because we all have sinned to some degree. No, I'm writing this to show perfect examples of how, despite our mistakes God looks after us and protects us from situations that cause harm, physically, emotionally and mentally even spiritually. I've often looked back and realised how much God was doing that I couldn't see, yet at the time I thought he was a million miles away.. And through things that I was told should hurt, I didn't feel a thing. Like recently, during my 12 hours of driving. One gland in my throat had swollen and my throat was sore, also with cold like symptoms coming on, yet the exact 4 hours each day I was driving, It was like a shield of protection came over me. I didn't feel a thing. It wasnt til I'd finished that I felt the symptoms again. But I didn't mind let a lone even care or think about it because pure joy took over.
There is one niggling question that a lot of people face with the idea of a God that's is meant to be all loving and protecting and that question is, why is there bad things happening in the world?. Which in all honesty is a fair question. There is never a bad or silly question. And this sort of question I'm sure at some stage in life we've all come too. Even my daughter of 6 asked me why are some people not nice and some people nice? To which I responded, everyone has a choice, we can choose to be kind or we can choose to be horrible. Unfortunately some people choose to not be nice. Like wise with the grand picture of the world. Our actions have a ripple effect also known as the butterfly effect on those around us. Let's see what the bible says and how it links to God's protection...
Matthew 25:34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ ” (ESV)
1 corinthians 8: 9-12
Be careful, however, not to let your freedom of action make those who are weak in the faith fall into sin. Suppose a person whose conscience is weak in this matter sees you, who have so-called “knowledge”, eating in the temple of an idol; will not this encourage him to eat food offered to idols? And so this weak person, your brother for whom Christ died, will perish because of your “knowledge”! And in this way you will be sinning against Christ by sinning against your Christian brothers and sisters and wounding their weak conscience.
Now God's promise of protection..
Psalm 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him
Psalm 138:7 Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me.
You see God's ways are higher than our way and his thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and though it may not be a popular choice, in the long run, whatever his will is, leads to everlasting life. God can see the ins and outs of this world. He can see what we can't, he can see and knows when a stumbling block is coming. Like when something doesn't go to how we planned and we immediately think why??. Then at some point down the line it does come together, you look back and realise why you had to wait. Or on the other hand you could of pushed so hard and God would say have it your way, but later realise the bigger opportunity is passing by. How many of us have done that.
Let's pray
Father, life may bring many challenges, obstacles and trials. But Lord you word says you will protect us. Help us be sensitive to your spirit so we can know and follow your will for our lives. So we aren't mislead and stumble. Help us to be positive even amongst opposition and negativity in Jesus name amen.
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