1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind, and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. God is and always has been our protector. God's presence in a situation is all the protection we need. God is so present in it He says "Vengence is mine, says the Lord. Romans 12:19 shows that God not only protects but advances to make things right for us when we are attacked by those around us. When I accepted the call to commit my life to full-time ministry a target was put on my back, but God was there in every situation to give me a shield to protect me. I had someone tell me "no one is out to get you!" They surely had not been reading their Bible, because the Word of God tells me that satan, my enemy, is out to get me every day of my life. But God is my protector and he fights my battles for me and not only protects me but goes before me in power and might.
I have to think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and how God protected them in the fiery furnace. Human intervention was no help to them. ONLY God could protect them. God shut the mouths of the lions when Daniel was thrown into the lion's den. God took a stone from the slingshot of the young shepherd David and buried it deep into the head of Goliath and defeated him when it seemed impossible. God is all about the impossible! God is our protector and ever-present help in times of trouble. Scripture records that there are thousands of angels protecting us as well, and God is faithful to take care of His children. His protection is more than just a children's story in a book. His protection is real and He fights for us in the spiritual realm. So take heart!! God is our protector and yes, we have an enemy who seeks to devour us and stop us, but God is more powerful. The following story is a great representation of how God protects.
It was Christmas Eve 1875 and Ira Sankey was traveling on a Delaware River steamboat when he was recognized by some of the passengers. His picture had been in the newspaper because he was the song leader for the famous evangelist D.L. Moody. They asked him to sing one of his own hymns, but Sankey demurred, saying that he preferred to sing William B. Bradbury's hymn, "Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us." As he sang, one of the stanzas began, "We are Thine; do Thou befriend us. Be the Guardian of our way."
When he finished, a man stepped from the shadows and asked, "Did you ever serve in the Union Army?" "Yes," Mr. Sankey answered, "in the spring of 1860." "Can you remember if you were doing picket duty on a bright, moonlit night in 1862?" "Yes," Mr. Sankey answered, very much surprised. "So did I, but I was serving in the Confederate army. When I saw you standing at your post, I thought to myself, 'That fellow will never get away alive.' I raised my musket and took aim. I was standing in the shadow, completely concealed, while the full light of the moon was falling upon you. At that instant, just as a moment ago, you raised your eyes to heaven and began to sing...' Let him sing his song to the end,' I said to myself, 'I can shoot him afterward. He's my victim at all events, and my bullet cannot miss him.' But the song you sang then was the song you sang just now. I heard the words perfectly: 'We are Thine; do Thou befriend us. Be the Guardian of our way.' Those words stirred up many memories. I began to think of my childhood and my God-fearing mother. She had many times sung that song to me. When you finished your song, I couldn't take aim again. I thought, 'The Lord who is able to save that man from certain death must surely be great and mighty.' And my arm of its own accord dropped limp at my side."
God is the guardian of our way and He is faithful. I will continue to sing His praises, even if they try to stop me because God is my protector.
The Pilgrimage Continues...
David Warren