Greatest Protection

"Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you."

Deuteronomy  31:6

"That was a close one"!  How many times we may say that phrase in our lives.  It could be in response to many little things:

• Catching something before it boils over on the stove
• Realizing you misspelled something on an email before you sent it
• The glass which was falling to the floor didn't break

The same response can be said for situations that are of greater importance, such as:

• An accident on the highway that was averted
• Health test results that came back clear
• Side stepped an argument with a spouse

I thought about that phrase the other day as I was about to fall and caught myself before falling to the ground.  It made me think of how many times I have said that phrase, in large and small situations.  We tend to move on from those events pretty quickly and go on with our daily lives.  This one made me think!  How often do we say that in our lives and WHY don't those situation end with a negative result?

God's Protection!  In every situation, large or small, we have a God that is with us every step of the way.  He is there to protect us and be with us to ensure safety, body and soul.  He ensures that each step we take in the morning continues to lead us to the path that he has set for us.  It tends to be OUR actions that pull us away from his protection.  When we walk boldly in His ways and in His love, the protection of our Lord envelopes us like a warm blanket on a cool day.  

The good news is that his protection is there for anyone who wants it!  When we fall back into his loving arms and into his word, his protection is there for us.  No, this doesn't mean that we will advert every difficult time in our lives, but we know we have a God who will continue to be with us, in good times and bad.  We have a God who will continue to love us and bring us peace during tough times.  We have a God who died for us so that we will one day be with him in paradise.  How do we know this?  Because he tells us so, in many verses like the one we have today.  

I encourage you that the next time the glass doesn't break or the accident was averted, why don't we follow up the words, "That was a close one," with the words, "Thank you God".  He is there for us in ALL situations to talk to!

"Dearest Father, we thank you for the greatest protection any of us can have, you!  By your watchful eye and constant love, may we always feel your arms around us, holding us, and helping us to move forward.  In your gracious name I pray.  Amen!"