The basic condition to receive the protection of God hinges on belief, trust, and obedience. Our suffering is on account of our sins which have resulted from the fall of man. The Bible is replete with verses where the protecting hand of the Lord is on His people. Many verses in God’s Word promise God’s physical protection. For example, Psalm 121:3 says, “He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber.” In Psalms 121:7 the psalmist declares, “The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.” As Israel entered the Promised Land, God promised them that He would never leave or forsake them. Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
Under the Old Covenant, the understanding was very simple. The children of God were to be obedient and observe His Laws and commandments. In lieu thereof, God promised them various material and physical blessings—on their crops, livestock, children, etc. (Deuteronomy 28). The Old Covenant was very much concerned with earthly blessings, along with physical protection.
It is pertinent to know that we are now under the New Covenant. God does not promise to keep believers in Christ from all physical harm. He does mercifully shield us from situations where we would sustain injury or loss. When we believe in Jesus Christ for salvation, the Holy Spirit immediately enters our lives. We are sealed for eternity and brought under God’s spiritual protection from that moment on. This means that, regardless of our future sins or the schemes of Satan, we will never lose the salvation God has granted. II Timothy 1:12 “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless, I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” There is nothing that can ever separate us from God’s love. Romans 6:22 “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”
Throughout our lives, God will continue to “guard [our] hearts and [our] minds in Christ Jesus”, providing the strength, peace, and perseverance we need to make it through any test or trial. His Spirit grows in us fruit that will strengthen our Christian walk, and He provides us with powerful tools with which we can fend off the enemy’s spiritual attacks (Ephesians 6:10–17).
In faith, we are to ask for protection from God. He knows we are strengthened by the trials that come our way, and in each physical trial, we are assured of His spiritual protection. So, rather than seeking complete physical protection from God, we must develop the inner strength to carry our cross daily. James 1:2-3 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” God has promised in John 14:13-14 “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” The bottom line is to have trust, faith, and believe that He can do.
Dr Ashwin Drummond
Laddertoheaven.co.in