As shots rang out, assistant high school football coach Frank Hall had to choose whether to run toward or away from the sound. This self-proclaimed “regular guy”—afraid of confrontations, heights, roller coasters, and scary movies, and who practically jumps through the ceiling when his kids startle him—chose to charge the gunman, his voice booming, “Stop! Stop!” The 17-year-old gunman, who had already killed three students and wounded three more in the school, was startled by Hall’s blitz. He shot at Hall, missed, and then ran outside, where police apprehended him on a nearby road.
Frank Hall, in that moment, did what God does all the time—protects His people.
God protects us. He watches over and helps us (Psalm 121:1). He stands beside us as a “protective shade” (Psalm 121:5), and His ears are open to our cries. He also protects us by His presence. A recurring theme throughout Scripture is: I will be with you, and I will never abandon you (Joshua 1:5; Hebrews 13:5). Sometimes, God sends angels to protect, defend, and care for us (Genesis 21:17; Psalm 34:7; Hebrews 1:14), and at other times, He uses other people to protect and defend the ones He loves (Numbers 35:25; James 1:27). Sometimes we’re allowed to suffer for Him, but this can ultimately lead to blessing and joy in His presence (1 Peter 4:12-14).
As we face dangers and enemies of all kinds, instead of cowering in fear, may we choose to boldly approach God—asking Him for wisdom and strength. And may we also ask Him to use us as powerful agents of His grace, protecting and defending those who can’t defend and speak up for themselves. We can trust that our God is watching over us “both now and forever”! (Psalm 121:8).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 22:30–23:22
More:
Read Psalm 91:14 to see what’s required to receive God’s protection.
Next:
When has God protected you? Is it hard for you to always believe He is there for you? How will you trust God more this week?
Gary Shultz on November 12, 2016 at 6:58 am
Marvin, God has been so good to me with safety and health, I try to constantly thank Him for that. That could change, but God will not, it would be with purpose that God would move otherwise. Those are the times that draw greatly on our faith, when the bottom drops out of health and safety. Do we, can we believe God is still in control in those times? Will we dare to believe God holds us in pain and loss? Will we endure until He makes all things right? Will we be satisfied if stability is not seen in this life? I often think as I do different things, now that I travel a lot, look at all of these cars traveling at speeds with twice the force to easily kill others on impact, and God protects me and many others. Yet all it takes is a fraction of a second and life is taken of changed. God is always watchful, nothing escapes His view and He protects us in spite of ourselves many times. Thanks Marvin
Gary Shultz on November 12, 2016 at 7:09 am
Sandy, thank you so much for checking out that song from yesterdays post.
sim jing ying on November 12, 2016 at 9:27 am
God protects me every second of the way. It’s easy to believe that He is always beside me as his presence is always there in my heart. I’ll trust God in little things of my life not only the big this week.