Bible Society of South Africa
Benescke Janse van Rensburg

Live Happy … Today – Day 6

Live happy ... in God’s protection

Bible text(s)

1 Peter 5

8Be alert, be on the watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8GNBOpen in Bible reader

2 Timothy 1

7For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7GNBOpen in Bible reader

Psalms 91

2can say to him,

“You are my defender and protector.

You are my God; in you I trust.”

3He will keep you safe from all hidden dangers

and from all deadly diseases.

4He will cover you with his wings;

you will be safe in his care;

his faithfulness will protect and defend you.

Psalms 91:2-4GNBOpen in Bible reader

I often receive e-mails from readers who testify that fear in their lives paralyses them. Fear of growing old alone, not getting through the month financially, going through a divorce or being attacked by robbers. What is your fear today?

A few years ago, an American family visited the Oregan Zoo in Portland, America, where they took a video of their son.

In the video clip, Jack, a little boy of about 12 months, quietly sits and plays in front of a safety glass in the zoo – completely unaware of Kya, one of the lionesses in the park, trying to break through the glass behind him to get to him. Even though at times, we see Kya’s fangs, it is impossible for her to get to Jack. Why? Because the safety glass is simply too thick.

In 1 Peter 5:8 we read that Satan is walking around like a roaring lion, looking for areas to attack believers. One of the areas he focuses on is to put fear in our hearts. If we do not guard our minds and fall into the trap of focusing too long on the fear, we become paralysed by it. If, on the other hand, we take our thoughts captive and bring it under the obedience of Christ, while we put our trust in God, we will experience our faith being strengthened. It is then that we, as Jack, can live happily in every situation with the knowledge that God puts a safety glass around us to protect us from the enemy’s attacks.

In 2 Timothy 1:7 we read: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” In Psalm 91:2-4 we read: “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”

Let us ask God today to put his shield around us and choose to focus on God and not on our fears. In this way, you can live happily and in peace, with the knowledge that nothing can break through God’s safety glass around us. God bless.

Bible Society of South Africav.4.24.4
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