Safe!

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10

When I was younger I loved to play outside with my friends. One of my favorite games was hide and seek. We all know the game right? One person closes their eyes and counts while the others find a hiding place. When the seeker stops counting they open their eyes and start looking for everyone. There are two objectives to the game: First; the seeker's goal is to find as many people as possible and tag them so they're out of the game. Secondly; the hider's goal is to either hide so well they cannot be found by the seeker or if they are spotted; to run quickly to "base," the safe place, so they're not tagged. Our safe place was either a tree or a spot on the driveway. If you could make it to this place without being tagged and yell "safe!" then the seeker could not touch you; even if he was standing right in front of you. As long as you were at that safe place no one could touch you.

Proverbs 18:10 assures us that the Lord is our strong tower (a place of refuge) and when we run to Him we are safe and I truly believe that means we'll be safe from all evil and in all situations. Psalm 91:9 says "Because you have made the Lord God your refuge and the Most High your dwelling place, no evil will befall you or any plague or calamity come near your tent. (or household-your dwelling place)

Not only is the Lord our strong tower and place of safety, but He's also our hiding place. Psalm 17:8 says "Keep me as the apple of Your eye, hide me under the shadow of Your wings, from the wicked who oppress me, from my deadly enemies who surround me."

Psalm 32:7 "You are my hiding place, You shall preserve me from trouble, You shall surround me with songs of deliverance."

Psalm 31:20 is referring to the previous verse about the person who fears the Lord and who trusts in Him; and it says; "You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence. From the plots of man, You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues."

There may be situations in your life right now that are frightening; either a job loss, a negative medical report or even trouble in your marriage has come your way and you fear the days to come. You may feel the enemy is seeking you to "tag" you and take you out of the game. But God is your strong tower, your hiding place and your safe place in time of trouble. In Him there is safety. In Him there is security. No matter the situation, God has a promise that we can always take hold of and stand on. If you call on the name of the Lord and run to Him He will hide you and keep you in safety.But you must first turn your attention to Him. You can't run towards something that you're not looking at. Psalm 91 is a great declaration of God's promise to those who first seek Him out intimately as one would do in a marriage and put their trust in Him. This means to bring your cares, fears and needs to Him but also seek His counsel, spend time speaking with Him, loving Him and living a life in constant communication with Him...listening for His voice.

He who dwells in the shelter of the most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord "He is my refuge and fortress, my God in Him I will trust." Surely He shall deliver you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge. His truth shall be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night or the arrows that fly by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness or the plague that destroys at midday. For a thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand but it will not come near you. For you will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord God your refuge and the Most High your dwelling place, no evil will befall you or any plague or calamity come near your dwelling. (this is specifically speaking about health) For He shall give His angles charge over you to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up so you do not dash your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. "Because he loves Me," says the Lord, "I will deliver him. I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me and I will answer him, I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation." Psalm 91:1-16

Wow, those are some powerful promises, and God is not a man that He should lie or the son of man that He should repent...in other words God means what He says and says what He means and doesn't take it back!

There is safety in abiding in the Lord, in making the choice to continually stay under His protective covering by putting all your trust in Him and Him alone. So what has you fearing the safety of your future? Whether it be fear for today, next week or even the years to come, God is your safe place, if you would just run to Him and stay by His side those circumstances will not be able to touch you, the enemy will not be able to lay a hand on you; even though he stands right in front of you.