December 19, 2018 – Click here to listen
I met with a man the other day who is quite the adventurer. He’s narrowly escaped death numerous times, (as have I), and we compared notes and couldn’t decide which of us has had the most near-death experiences. He assumed that all of mine occurred in my misspent youth overdosing on drugs, experiencing car and motorcycle crashes, and lethal fights, but my close encounters continued even after I found Christ.
Once I was diagnosed with a brain tumor and was told I might live anywhere from three days to one month at most. On three occasions my boat got caught in powerful storms far offshore with mighty winds, gigantic waves, and lightning hitting so close that the boat’s outriggers would literally rattle and the hair on my arms and neck would stand up prior to each lighting strike. While living at Honey Lake I was trampled by three horses while my wife stood by helplessly and watched. One year I was bitten by a large rattlesnake, I survived stage 4 hepatitis C, and a melanoma. The list is long, but every time I somehow managed to land on my feet.
Some people believe in the superstition that cats have nine lives. That little piece of folklore is generally derived from the ability of cats to almost always land on their feet thanks to some heightened inner ear sensitivity that enables them to turn quickly in the air. This combined with their light weight helps them to survive even high falls, (albeit they might crack some teeth and ribs), thus giving fuel to the adage of their having nine lives.
Hmmm . . . I share that with cats too, because I’ve definitely had my share of broken ribs, cracked teeth, smashed nose, and other assorted broken bones and injuries.
I’ve often wondered how I happen to be alive. I believe it’s simply because God still has a purpose for my life that is yet unfulfilled. Until then He will protect me. The Bible states in Psalm 91:11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.
Selah! Stop – Rest – Meditate on that verse for a moment.
Angels, (made by the Lord of heaven and earth), are commanded to minister to His people, (us). They form a protective circle about us, (ring of fire), and preserve us “wherever we may go”. The Bible doesn’t make us privy to how this is actually accomplished. We don’t know if the angels repel the plots of demons and spiritual wickedness or ward off physical forces of disease and other dangers or both; we’re just told that they’re ordered by God to protect us. Perhaps we shall one day stand amazed at the unseen hordes of angels and marvel at the assistance that they provided at key points in our lives, (that perhaps we ignorantly attributed to luck or coincidence).
The Bible commentator Matthew Henry said that whatever happens, nothing shall hurt the believer. He quickly acknowledged that it did not preclude the possibility that trouble, and affliction still might befall us, but he stated that it shall come, not to hurt us, but for a good purpose, (of which we might not be aware and though for the present it may not be joyous, but grievous).
He went on to say, “Those who rightly know God will set their love upon him. They, (by prayer) constantly call upon Him, and His promise is that He will in due time deliver the believer out of trouble. In the meantime, though, He will be with us in trouble.” The Lord will manage all our worldly concerns, and preserve our life on earth, so long as it shall be good for us”.
For encouragement in this we look unto Jesus Christ. He lived long enough till He accomplished the work for which He was sent into this world and was ready for heaven. He didn’t give up His spirit and die until His work was accomplished. Henry asked, “Who would want to live a day longer than God has purpose for us? A man may die young yet be satisfied with living. But a wicked man is not satisfied even with long life” . . .
At his death a believer’s conflict ends; he is done forever with trouble, sin, and temptation. A non-believer on the other hand . . . well let’s just say that their problems are just beginning upon death.
Keep the faith and FEAR NOTHING! Enjoy your protection today and every day.
1 Samuel 2:9
“He will protect his faithful ones, but the wicked will disappear in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone.”