Depending On God's Protection

"Today's Devotion" For August 18, 2006

Read: Genesis 3:8-19; Psalm 32

DEPENDING ON GOD'S PROTECTION

"You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."(Psalm 32:7)

World events are having a deleterious effect upon people's senses of security and safety. It's amazing that the same events, events which are rocking the world's security and peace, are seen and understood from widely divergent points of view. What's understood as evil to some is seen as justified by others. The sectarian violence in Iraq is blamed on the presence of U.S. forces in the country - even though a great deal of the violence isn't directed at those forces. Iran and North Korea seek nuclear capability as their sovereign right while the rest of the world sees a renewed nuclear arms race. Israel jails terrorists that belong to Hezbollah, move out of the Golan Heights and Gaza, leave southern Lebanon, and they are still attacked, their people kidnapped. When they respond in self-defense they are chastised as responding too harshly and the perpetrators become the victims.

It's been this way since the Fall into Sin in Eden. First Adam blamed God for giving him such a "wicked" wife. Then he turned on Eve and blamed her for his sin. When confronted by God, Eve immediately turned the spotlight of blame in the serpent. In the process, humanity's relationship with God was damaged, human relationships were tanked, and a huge rift between people and the rest of creation ensued. Each party in this tragedy saw the events in the Garden in completely different ways. God's truth and His Will were dismissed as being too harsh and too exclusive. Man and woman determined that they could do just as well as God, and the very creation for which they were supposed to exercise stewardship became an enemy.

Because of Sin in the world people die every day. Because of humanity's disobedience to God's Will and Word people fight each other, ignore God's truth, destroy the environment, and decide what "truth" is according to a faulty standard. Yet God, in His infinite grace and mercy meets our foolish attempts to redefine His truth, to make ourselves gods, and to exclude Him from our thinking with compassion, love, and forgiveness.

As He promised to Adam and Eve, Abraham and the patriarchs, and to all His people throughout the ages, He has redeemed humanity from the curse of Sin, the power of Death, and wiles of Satan through the innocent blood of Christ, sacrificed for all of us on the Cross. In Jesus' full obedience to God's Will God's Law was fulfilled. In His innocent suffering and death He paid the ultimate price for Sin which every human being is responsible to pay. His resurrection is the Father's loving statement that Christ's sacrifice is acceptable and His righteousness saves all who believe in Him.

Even though life had become a horrible nightmare for Adam and Eve, God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness were theirs. They knew fear for the first time because they disobeyed God, yet God's promise and compassion gave them comfort and strength, hope and peace. No matter what troubles and dangers we may face in our lives, none is greater than the power of Sin to keep us from God's love and eternity with Christ. In Jesus the power of Sin, death, and Satan is destroyed and God extends His loving hand to everyone, everywhere, with the promise of hope, peace, joy, and forgiveness. We live our lives in faith, depending on God's protection from all things that would harm us and keep us from Him - physical or spiritual. Christ is our deliverance.

Prayer: Father, it's all too easy to fall into the trap of self-determination; to believe that I am the master of my destiny and my future is in my hands. As I look around me in the world I see that attitude everywhere. I see people trying to control the lives of others, even take their lives, because they can’t agree politically. I see hatred for others because they don't look the same, believe the same, or think the same. Yet, in Your infinite grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness You sent Jesus to be fully obedient to You in all things because I and no other human beings can, and then You exacted the full punishment for Sin from Him on the Cross - all so that I and all who believe in Him might be forgiven, redeemed, and restored to You forever. Remind me each day of Your protection and deliverance from all that would seek to keep me from You, and strengthen my faith in Jesus that I may live my life in a way that is pleasing to You and a true witness to Your love in Christ to others. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.