How do we reconcile God's promises for protection with the fact that so many evil things do happen in our lives? Can we believe God for protection?
This question comes up often, and no wonder, since there are many promises in the Bible about protection, including (especially in the Old Testament) physical protection. We must be careful to interpret Scripture with Scripture, and if we examine the record we find that God did not by any means always protect His people from harm. He has absolute power to keep us safe, both physically and spiritually, but His engineering of the universe made room for man's freedom to choose-that is, freedom to will to obey or to disobey Him.
This is a deep mystery. Man's disobedience brought evil into the world, and all of us are subject to it. God does not cancel out its effects, even for His choicest servants (John the Baptist, Stephen, those nameless victims of Hebrews 11:35-37, for example). Nevertheless, we have the promises. Romans 8:35-39 is one of my most reread passages. I believe we can rest assured that we are invulnerable so long as God does not give permission for us to be hurt. If He gives that permission, He will not leave us alone. He goes with us through the valley, the deep water, the furnace. He will never, absolutely never, leave us or forsake us.
This is a deep mystery. Man's disobedience brought evil into the world, and all of us are subject to it. God does not cancel out its effects, even for His choicest servants (John the Baptist, Stephen, those nameless victims of Hebrews 11:35-37, for example). Nevertheless, we have the promises. Romans 8:35-39 is one of my most reread passages. I believe we can rest assured that we are invulnerable so long as God does not give permission for us to be hurt. If He gives that permission, He will not leave us alone. He goes with us through the valley, the deep water, the furnace. He will never, absolutely never, leave us or forsake us.
Recommended Reading
Hannah Whitall Smith: The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life (Word Books, Waco, Texas). This classic has been in print for over ninety years and comes now in paperback with an introduction and built-in study guide which I was delighted to write at the publisher's request. The book is full of lucid, practical, thoroughly scriptural wisdom. Excellent for group or individual study.
My Mother
In April my mother fell and broke her hip. It's a miracle it hasn't happened sooner-she has fallen many times. The surgery to insert a pin and plate was successful, and she is recovering. There have been several offers of help in response to my request, so we trust the Lord will make our way plain in His time. We count on your prayers.
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