“But he who listens to me shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil.” (Proverbs 1:33)
On March 11, 2011, an underwater earthquake of magnitude 9.0 struck 80 miles off the eastern coast of Sendai, Japan. This event occurred at a depth of 19.9 miles, and initiated a large tsunami that produced waves estimated to be over 32 feet high. In some places waves easily washed over seawalls designed to protect against tsunamis. In other places, the walls collapsed from the force of the water. One such place is at the city of Kamaishi. The failure of these walls has surprised many people.
Alex Thomson of Channel 4 News (UK) toured the disaster area and then wrote: “… we have never seen anything like Kamaishi … the walls had been ripped apart by the extraordinary violence of the tsunami.” Commenting on the builders and beneficiaries of the anti-tsunami walls he said, “They thought they were safe. After all, that is why they built the walls in the first place, wasn’t it?”[1]
One of the greatest needs of mankind is to feel safe and protected against the potential storms of life. King David of Israel knew this very well and wrote about it in Psalm 46:1–3. He says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.”
There is no need to live in fear of what can happen to us physically. Of course, we must make reasonable effort and preparation to protect ourselves from day-to-day issues of life. However, our ultimate protection comes from the power of “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” He caused us to be born again and to live in hope of a salvation reserved in heaven for those who obey Him (1 Peter 1:3–5; Jude 1:24–25).
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SUMMARY • One of the greatest needs of mankind is to feel safe and protected
• King David wrote Psalms about the protection God provides
• Our salvation is protected by God in heaven
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FOOTNOTES
“Japan: The ruins of Kamaishi”, Channel 4 News (United Kingdom) (http://www.channel4.com/news/japan-the-ruins-of-kamaishi) ↑
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RBG Devotional 62: What Do You Trust For Protection? Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org. 27-Jun-21, 08:45 |