Who is our protection?

 

My puppy is just a big baby who loves to snuggle on the couch with me. Maybe you can tell that from her picture. Maybe not. She likes to play with other dogs, and because she is big, she can play a little rough. She would rather snuggle with a human than eat. Sometimes I joke she would starve to death if someone would pet her all the time. Any breed of dog can be aggressive and dangerous if they are mistreated or not trained, if expectations are not set early, if they are not loved and taught good dog citizen behavior. My puppy’s parents are family pets, who regularly play with the children. She was loved from the time she was born. As soon as we got her, we loved her, petted her, and set expectations for her. When she was old enough, we took her to basic and advanced obedience training. She’s only 10 months old. She’s still learning. Sometimes people think German Shepherds are dangerous dogs. They are smart, loyal, and love their people fiercely. I use that word on purpose. She is not aggressive. Do I think she would protect me if I were in danger? Absolutely. Not because she is mean, but because she loves deeply. 

I took her to town today for a walk. I parked in the church parking lot. It was chilly and windy, so I was wearing a jacket with a hood, and sunglasses. We got out of the car. She did great, sat and waited while I locked the car doors, heeled when instructed. We walked about 30 feet, and a car pulled up beside us. She was alert to it, but did not show any aggression. It was our maintenance supervisor from church who didn’t recognize me and stopped to see if I needed help. I think he was also checking to make sure that a suspicious person wasn’t on church property with an intent to commit some crime. When I answered him, he recognized me, and we talked for a few minutes. I really appreciate that he stopped to check what I was doing. He didn’t do it so that anyone could see him or praise him. He did it because that is the purpose God has called him to fulfill. 

Notice that I have talked about two kinds of protection. My puppy would protect me in a dangerous situation because she loves me. This man wanted to protect the church facilities, and to help someone who might have been in need because of his commitment to the ministry God gave him to do in the church.

Both those protections are wonderful. To love, to serve, to protect are all good things. But who is our greatest protector: the perfect all-knowing, all-wise, all-powerful, always-present protector? God is. He guards us, protects us, shelters us. He is our refuge. It is His salvation that protects us

Psalm 12:7-8 You, Lord, will guard us; You will protect us from this generation forever. 8 The wicked wander everywhere, and what is worthless is exalted by the human race.

1 Peter 1:5 You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Psalm 16:1-2 Protect me, God, for I take refuge in You. 2 I said to Yahweh, “You are my Lord; I have nothing good besides You.”

Psalm 57:1-3 Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me, for I take refuge in You. I will seek refuge in the shadow of Your wings until danger passes. 2 I call to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me.3 He reaches down from heaven and saves me, challenging the one who tramples me. Selah God sends His faithful love and truth.

Psalm 31:19-20 How great is Your goodness that You have stored up for those who fear You and accomplished in the sight of everyone for those who take refuge in You. 20 You hide them in the protection of Your presence; You conceal them in a shelter from the schemes of men, from quarrelsome tongues.

Psalm 69:29 But as for me—poor and in pain—let Your salvation protect me, God.

Jude 24 Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy,

Having my puppy makes me feel safer when I travel or am home alone. Godly men who serve fellow believers help us be good stewards of the facilities God has provided for us. Policemen. Firemen, Teachers. So many other humans serve a role of protection in our lives, but God is the True Protector.