The Challenge of Protection

Our world gives cause for sensing insecurity at all levels from the personal to the global. Challenges can range from low level surprise through to the overwhelming crisis that is beyond our control. Yet every challenge also presents us with opportunity to grow. The Christian perspective on challenges is not to pray them away but is to know that Father God will empower us to walk through challenges with the assurance that He will not abandon you and I.


Ps 23:4 declares that God will not abandon but will walk with us. Believers are not immune from harm. Ps 34:19 declares that "many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all." God provides Himself to cover us as we go through challenges. He showed His hand when He covered Adam and Eve before they were expelled from the garden of Eden. He covered them with the skin of an animal. His was the first animal sacrifice and His only Son would necessarily be the last sacrifice needed to "take away the sin of the world".


It's interesting that unexplained disasters in life are often attributed to 'an act of God', yet the real act of God was to send His Son to become the only covering that would provide protection for fallen humanity. Job, when severely tested, refused to blame God for his troubles. He declared, "though God slay me yet will I trust God". Job knew that His God was bigger than the his afflictions. He grew stronger through his ordeals because he trusted God more than his circumstances. How big is our God?


1 Peter 1:6 says "...you have been grieved by various trials that the genuineness of your faith...may be found to praise... Jesus Christ". No trial in Christ is ever designed to destroy or disillusion. If you are experiencing a trial now, know that He will grow you by His grace. He will protect you. He will never abandon you. His Presence with you and in you is His your greatest source of comfort, joy and peace as you go through the valley. Paul in Romans 8 declares that nothing "shall separate us from the love of Christ". His Presence is your protection. How big is your God?












This blog is based on a message called "The Challenge of Protection" by Ross Smith at The Vine church, Logan City, Queensland, Australia Sunday 11th Nov.2015. The full message can be accessed by podcast from www.thevine.org.au/teaching