BE SAFE?

Safety-----where is it to be found? There is so much talk and debate about being safe these days. While we still hear people say, "Have a good day" or "Have a good week", it has become a current mantra to say, "Be Safe". It is very apparent that there is lttle safety in our cities, towns, streets, churches, political rallies, schools, universities, business etablishments, or even in many homes. We have an invasion at our Southern Border, illegal drugs taking the lives of children and youth, rapes, murders, human trafficking and violence plaguing our society.

Consider this. A momma hen was found in the rubble of a burned down chicken coop on a farm in the mid-west. The hen did not survive the fire, but tucked up under her breast, the farmer found her brood of tiny chicks, safely sheltered by their momma's wings.

This tender image may indeed impact our hearts and emotions. Some may think of it when they drop their children off for an activity or event. It could come to mind when we turn on the news and watch it in horror. Some may remember it when a devastating medical diagnosis hits home. There are many broken and suffering people living in broken bodies in a very broken world. Sadly, the larger diagnosis is that it all will get worse before it gets better!

Brokenness and insecurity abound everywhere. Not only do many have broken bodies, resulting in difficult or terminal disease, but there are other experiences of brokenness and lack of safety and insecurity. Hearts are broken, leaving us hurting and yearning for relief. Our culture is truly in shambles and no political system or person can fix it. Fear and insecurity exist without question. No amount of panic, worry, pain medication, muscle relaxers, acitivity or hibernation away from everyone and everything can bring any solution.

Like the chicks, we need help and protection coming from beyond ourselves. We must have divine intervention, and we can have it! When the world around us seems to be ablaze, the Word of God (The BIBLE) teaches that those who believe in and trust the Lord Jesus are tucked safely under the strong "arms" of our Savior! His love, mercy, grace and protection cover us twenty-four hours a day and continues throughout our days in this life. Everyone who has given their life to Jesus and seek to obey His Word daily, is welcome in His protective love and care!

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. The LORD of hosts (Armies of Yahweh) is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress." (Psalm 46:1, 7 & 11) We say with the Psalmist, "Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at is swelling." (Psalm 46:2-3)

In the midst of fear, unsafety, insecurity and suffering, we purposfully tune into His reassuring WORD and hear Him say, "I am right here"! We know in this unsafe world that we will encounter distress, uncertainty and at times we will experience fear, insecurity and will want to hide from it all. However, the safest space we can and must run to is the PRESENCE OF JESUS! He desires to gather us unto Himself just as a hen gathers her chicks. ". . .How often would I have gathered you as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not." (Matthew 23:37 - the words of Jesus) He desires to gather us, take us into His loving protection and safety as the storms caused by sin pass over us!

That is Jesus' desire and purpose; no question; His WORD authoritatively declares it! However, the real question is, will we choose to gather unto Him or refuse as Jesus said, "and you would not." Will we continue to fear and live unsafely in this world or will we find our complete safety in Jesus? The choice is ours and ours alone!

Fanny Crosby, who authored over 5,000 hymns that include favorites of many, knew about fear, insecurity and suffering. Blind since infancy, she must have faced intense fears at times. In her hymns, she declared the sufficiency of God, His faithful protection and wonderful provision! She is known to have said these words of faith.

"Do you know if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I was born blind? Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall gladden my sight will be that of my Savior."

Fanny lived her life in the dark, but never alone! In this life she was tucked under the love and care of

her Savior, knowing full well that in the eternal life in heaven all insecurity, fear and hurt will be forever gone.

In 1868, Fanny wrote the hymn, SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS. Here are the words she penned.

"Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast, there by His love o'ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest. Hark! 'tis the voice of angels borne in a song to me.

Over the fields of glory, over the jasper sea.

Safe in the name of Jesus, safe from corroding care, safe from the world's temptations,

sin cannot harm me there. Free from the blight of sorrow, free from my doubts and fears.

Only a few more trials, only a few more tears.

Jesus, my heart's dear refuge, Jesus has died for me; firm on the Rock of Ages, ever

my trust shall be. Here let me wait with patience, wait till the night is o'er;

wait till I see the morning break on the golden shore."

I know safety is a concern and desire in these days. But, where is it to be found? Only in the "arms" of Jesus! Only in a right relationship with God by receiving Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord! If you have not come into this personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, will you pray this prayer with me right now?

Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I confess I need your forgiveness and I need you to be my Savior and Lord. I believe you died on the cross in my place, and that you rose up from the grave. I give my life to you. Please forgive me all my sins and come into my life. Thank you for loving me, dying to save me, forgiving my sins, and giving me the free gift of eternal life. Thank you for keeping me safe in this broken world. Amen! (See John 3:16)

". . .fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

Note: If you prayed that prayer with me, I would love to know about it. You can comment on my blog page by scrolling to "comments" or by emailing me. Thanks!