Imagine the Holy Spirit being like a blanket that wraps around you. His wrap around Presence comforts you. He is your Comforter. He is your safe place. God is our Source of true safety in a world of uncertainty. You are safe and secure in His presence.
Body and Soul Publishing LLC
Day 1
Scripture: Psalms 16:8
You Are Safe
If you’re familiar with Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip Peanuts, you know the character Linus and his blue security blanket that accompanied him everywhere. That blanket, many times taking on a personality of its own, just might be the most famous blanket of all time.
There’s something about a cozy blanket that does seem to offer a bit of security and safety as it’s wrapped around us. Many of us have a warmer, plush layer on our beds known as a “comforter.” If you’ve stayed in a variety of hotels, it seems like the comfort level of the bed and bedding corresponds to the amount you pay for that night’s sleep.
After hearing several people mention how much they were enjoying their weighted blankets, we decided to buy one ourselves. Think of it as a blanket on steroids. If one of your love languages is physical touch, you’d probably enjoy the hug-like feel of these layers also known as “gravity” blankets.
Of course, we know a blanket can’t offer any real safety and security even if it does give us some temporary comfort.
But with God, we find safety, security, and comfort that sustains us in this life and beyond. These words of David from The Passion Translation (TPT) express it well,
“Because you are close to me and always available,
my confidence will never be shaken,
for I experience your wrap-around presence every moment.”
Even when we don’t feel it, you and I have the eternal Comforter giving us His “wrap-around” presence every moment. We’re covered by the security blanket of Christ wherever we walk.
You. Are. Safe.
Prayer…
“Father, we thank you for the lasting safety and security we have in Your Presence. We rest in the truth that nothing can truly harm us. Even death is a glorious doorway to an eternity that awaits all who call upon your Son Jesus. Thank you for sending us your Spirit, the Comforter, to guide us every step of this earthly journey. It’s in the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.”
Day 2
Scriptures: Proverbs 29:25, Psalms 27:1
A Dangerous Trap
Have you ever felt trapped?
I recall an instance in seventh grade when I was staying the night with one of my best friends. While we were sitting in his family’s hot tub, he challenged me to see how long I could hold my breath while underwater. Always up for a challenge, I took a deep breath and proceeded to submerge myself.
About thirty seconds later when I decided to come up for air, my head bumped into the hot tub cover that my comedian friend managed to put into place. Even though my head wasn’t underwater, a surge of panicked adrenaline coursed through my veins which allowed me to throw off the cover and my friend who happened to be sitting on top.
Needless to say, that was the last time my “friend” pulled a prank like that.
If we’re all honest, none of us enjoys feeling trapped. Some of us have felt trapped by financial debt. Others have felt trapped in a relationship. Many wake up to jobs they feel trapped by.
There’s another kind of trap many of us have fallen into throughout our lives,
“Fearing people is a dangerous trap…” (Proverbs 29:25 NLT)
The idea here is of a trap that ensnares an unsuspecting animal. We might find ourselves ensnared by the need to always say yes when others ask us to do something. Or perhaps we’re hesitant to speak up on social media due to fear of what others might think of us. There might even be people who evoke a strong feeling of fear or anxiety in us while in their presence.
I’m so thankful for the second half of the verse above,
“…but trusting the Lord means safety.”
This means we place our full confidence in God alone. He’s a safe and secure foundation. God is in the business of setting trapped people free!
When we fear people, we are allowing them to dictate how we feel. This is like putting our confidence in a rickety chair to hold our weight. Sooner or later, we’re bound to let others down or be let down by others.
As our trust in the Lord increases, our fear of people will decrease. Before long, we’ll find ourselves living out these words of David,
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1 NIV)
Prayer…
“Father, we place our trust in You alone. Apart from You, we walk on fragile ground that can give way at any moment. We ask that You drive away all fear of man and unproductive thoughts in our lives. Thank you for preserving us despite the poor decisions we may have made in the past. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Day 3
Scripture: Psalms 91:4
Shelter in Place
On March 16, 2020, San Francisco issued the first official “shelter-in-place” warning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Soon after, other areas and states around the United States would issue similar warnings. I remember seeing one of these warnings issued on my smartphone in the form of a public safety alert where we live in Colorado.
Other uses for a “shelter-in-place” warning include chemical, biological, or radiological threats, and also shooting or bombing incidents. In the case of an epidemic or pandemic like COVID-19, this strategy is used to help mitigate the spread of a virus and help keep people safe.
All this talk of “sheltering” reminds us of Psalm 91:4,
He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Whether we’re stuck at home due to a statewide order or freely traveling wherever we wish, we have the ability to take shelter in the God of this universe. No matter where we find ourselves, we can “shelter-in-place” with our Heavenly Father.
Have you ever watched a mother goose and her little goslings? If there’s a storm or possible danger, the little goslings will take shelter under their mother’s large wings. This is the image the Psalmist (Moses in this case) wants us to grasp in regard to our protective Father God.
There’s no safer place we can be.
Prayer…
“Father, we seek refuge under your loving care. We make our home in You as storms come our way. Thank you for the protection we experience as we stand behind Your faithful promises day and night. We take comfort in knowing You are always faithful even when we are unfaithful. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.”
Day 4
Scripture: Psalms 46:1
Always Ready
Even in the small logging town of Myrtle Creek, Oregon where I grew up, we had our share of bullies. I recall walking home from school one day when I encountered a couple of neighborhood hooligans looking for some unsuspecting victim to pick on.
I remember feeling nervous as they pulled up on their BMX bikes and deliberately blocked my path. Not only were there two of them and one of me but they were also two or three years older than me.
As they began pushing me around, I told them I didn’t want any trouble and just let me go on my way. That’s when the anonymous hero arrived and came to my rescue. I say ‘anonymous’ because I never knew exactly who he was.
If I was to guess, he was most likely a year older than the two bullies but I’m not certain. I remember him asking me, “Are these guys bothering you?” Immediately after I responded with a shy, “Yes”, this nameless defender pulled both of the bullies off of their bikes and began giving them some of their own medicine.
One image I’ll never forget is of my rescuer dragging one of these thugs by his feet through the dirt before both of them high-tailed it out of there. I stood there stunned as the hero jumped on his bike and said, “Take care kid”, before riding off. The two bullies never messed with me again.
No matter who or what may be picking on you today, our all-powerful God is more than ready to step in to defend you,
“God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NLT)
He’s always ready and always available to help His children.
Prayer…
“Father, we take courage knowing You are always walking beside us. No matter what obstacles we face, we are victorious because of the death and resurrection of Your Son. When spiritual bullies approach us, they run the other direction after seeing You next to us. We walk in confidence knowing we’re on the winning team! In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.”
Day 5
Scriptures: Proverbs 18:10, Job 14:5, Romans 8:38-39
Safe and Sound
When I was in college, each August I would pack my car in preparation for the 2,500-mile journey from Myrtle Creek, Oregon to Anderson, Indiana. Once I arrived at my destination (Anderson University), the first order of business was calling home in order to set my mom’s mind at ease…
“Hey Mom, I made it safe and sound.”
Those words are music to a mother’s ears as I would hear a sigh of relief on the other end.
Webster’s defines safe as “secure from threat of danger, harm, or loss.” We hear this word in a myriad of settings.
When someone embarks on a flight or car trip, we tell them to have “safe travels.”
If a woman has been a victim of domestic abuse, she may enter a “safe house” for protection.
A family member might pray something like, “Keep our family safe” before embarking on a fun whitewater rafting adventure.
A baseball or softball player is declared, “Safe!”, after sliding into home plate.
We keep our valuables locked up in a “safe.”
We say that a certain sports team is a “safe bet” to win the championship.
We all long to feel safe and secure in this world. Unfortunately, from an earthly sense, we’re unable to find anything that’s 100% safe. Putting all of our eggs in this earthly basket is a fast track to disappointment. So where do we turn for true safety?
“The name of the Lord is a strong fortress;
the godly run to him and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10 NLT)
In this reference, the Hebrew word for safe is sagah which means “to be high, lofty, inaccessible; too high for capture; to be set on high.”
Think of an eagle building a nest high up in a tree, inaccessible from any threat. Or we can think of a city built in a high place in order to discourage enemies from even attempting an invasion.
Now consider the God who created every person, animal, tree, ocean, river, and mountain. The One who spoke the stars into being hung the planets, sun, and moon in their place. You and I are invited to run to this God through the provision of Jesus for eternal safety.
God has already determined the number of our days (Job 14:5). In our own strength, we can’t add a single minute. Neither can anything take our lives before that appointed day. God is in control of every last detail in this universe.
So whether we live or die, those who place their trust in the Savior (One who keeps safe), Jesus, can rest in the truth that they’re safe and sound!
Prayer…
“Father, You are our place of safety and rest. Like an impenetrable fortress, You provide refuge for those who choose to run to You. No matter where we find ourselves, no border can prevent us from running to You. Not only do You provide safe shelter in the midst of storms, You also calm those storms with a simple command. There is no other name outside of Your Son where safety can be found. It’s in the powerful name of Jesus we pray, Amen.”