Security of a Christian
Ira D. Sankey, who sang songs in the campaigns of D.L.Moody, joined the Confederate Army in 1860. Two years later, he was assigned a guard duty in the night near the line of the enemy in Sharpsburg. He could hear the gunshots nearby showing that they could be attacked at any moment. It was very cold outside and he felt an inner urge to sing a song. So he started singing the hymn by William Bradbury, “Savior like a shepherd lead us … We are Thine do Thoubefriend us, be the Guardian of our way.”
At that time, an enemy soldier began to move away from that place. He actually was in the firing range of Sankey and put his finger in the trigger and was about to kill Sankey. But when he heard Sankey singing, he stopped to listen to the song, since he was also a Christian. When Sankey sang the hymn, he remembered his mother singing the same hymn when he was a small boy. He never expected to hear the same song which brought to his memory his Christian upbringing and the protection that the Lord gives to His children. So he realised that Sankey,
the guard on duty, was a Christian and left the place without killing his enemy. When Sankey sang the same song in a meeting later, the soldier met Sankey and told him about this incident in the war. Yes, we are safe in the hand of the Lord, who keeps His promises of being our strength and shield (Ps. 28:7) in times of trials and suffering. We can trust Him to be our protector and fort.
Last year, I went through a time of anxiety and problems in my ministry. At that time, in one morning devotion, I started reading Psalm 139. When I read, “You have hedged (enclosed) me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such a knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.” (Ps. 139:5,6) I was able to understand the protection that the Lord offers to His children. The Lord spoke to me that He is all around me and keeps His hand over me when I pass through various difficulties. He becomes an enclosure behind me and before me. He has His powerful hand upon me to protect me. Yes, the angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them (Ps. 34:7). The Bible says that the believers are guarded by God on all sides.
- God is before us: “Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go.” (ls. 48:17)
- God is behind us: “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.” (Is. 30:21)
- God is on our right: “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” (Ps. 16:8) God is on our left: “When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him.” (Job 23:9)
- God is above us: “How precious is Your loving kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.” (Ps. 36:7)
- God’s arms are beneath us: “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deut. 33:27)
- God’s hand is over us: “You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.” (Ps. 139:5)
- God’s Spirit is within us: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you.”(1Cor. 3:16).We may be in difficult situations. But we are safe because Christ is all around us and within. So let us not lose heart. But let us trust God whatever may happen and wherever we are, the Lord is with us. So we can boldly say like Paul, “If God is for us, who can be against us.” Rom. 8:31.
God is before me, He will be my guide
God is behind me, no ill can betide
God is beside to comfort and cheer.
(Dr. C Barnabas, Translated from True Discipleship Apr. 1998)