Can I Really Expect God to Protect Me?

[This article is reprinted from 2005 | Author: Nancy Guthrie]

My bible study group assignment was to read Psalm 91 and express how it had been true in my life.

"He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague. … For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone." [All Scripture citations from the New Living Translation.]

At first blush it sounds really good, but that day I had to say what I really thought. Through tears I told the group, "I don't get how this is true. He did not rescue us from a fatal plague. He did not keep us from striking our feet on a stone but, in fact, allowed much worse than that."

In the year preceding we had buried my daughter, Hope, who was born with a rare metabolic disorder and had a short and difficult life. At that low point in my grief, I simply wasn't willing to gloss over the nice-sounding verse. I couldn't reconcile this passage with my experience, with reality. But I wanted to. I wanted to figure out how the scriptural promises of protection apply not only to me, but also to anyone who suffers, especially now, the thousands who have endured homelessness, disease, and death in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. I wanted to know, Can I expect God to protect me? And if not, what are these promises of protection in the Bible all about?

"Somewhere" (by Rich Mullins)

 

Politics, Purpose and Peace

Is it really possible for politics, purpose and peace to live under the same tent? I ask this question after reading some of the news reports and blogs chronicling the 2007 Southern Baptist Convention in San Antonio, TX. Is it really possible for a large group of Christians to gather and agree on what they feel is the direction and guidelines for the Church of Jesus Christ? Does God really want us to expend this kind of energy in such a futile approach to achieve unity? Hasn't history proven this goal is not possible?

The Bible shows us both sides of this equation. Times when men gathered and because these men were devoted leaders and followers of God they were able to accomplish great things for His kingdom. Nehemiah, David, Joshua, Moses were leaders during such times. Yet these same leaders also faced dissent and grumbling and their leadership positions were sometimes not only questioned but openly defied. The beautiful example in Acts of the first church was a large group of people devoted to each other, serving each other and serving their neighbors. This story resonates with such power sadly because it is such a rare occurrence in history. They lived in peace with each other and their community and God added to their numbers daily.

Happy Fathers Day!

Dad, I hope you're having a wonderful day filled with everything that you enjoy and love. Though since you're currently hosting my 6-year daughter I'm pretty sure there is little time to yourself and even smaller amounts of energy to expend. Stay strong - I'm coming to get her soon.

But seriously, there is no gift or card that I can even imagine presenting you with that could come close to expressing my love and admiration for you. You and Mom combined to model and teach me so many of the lessons that have molded me into the man that I have become. I hope to become that kind of parent with my own children.