Protected!

There has been a tendancy in modern Western culture to dismiss the Christian concept of a caring, saving God as “Pie in the sky.”  Christians suffer.  There are martyrs. All of the apostles (say for John) met violent deaths.  I recently saw a query as to God’s concern for His earthly church.  It bluntly asked “Has God ever rescued someone in this life, or is all in the here after?”

A clear response was made.  Yes, He has!

• Lot was rescued by Abram at God’s guidance (Genesis 14).
• Lot and his daughters were saved from the promised destruction of Sodom (Genesis 19).
• The Hebrews protected from the Angel of Death (Exodus 12-13).
• The Hebrews flee the Egyptians through the Red Sea (Exodus 14).
• King David was saved from the hand of King Saul [12 times]  (1 Samuel 18:30-19:24).
• The prophet Elijah protected from wicked Queen Jezebel (I Kings 19f).
• Esther and the Jews of Persia were saved when evil Haman was plotting to exterminate the Jews (Esther).
• The prophet Jonah from the belly of the great fish (Jonah 2).
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were saved from being burned alive in Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace (Daniel 3).
• Daniel, protected from the mouths of lions in a den of lions (Daniel 6).

So the Bible is full of examples.  But more importantly we have a promise:  “Seek first the Kingdom of God . . . and all these things will be added unto you.” Our needs and struggles will be provided for.  And as far as temptations: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (I Corn 10:13).”

God is a saviour here in this life, and in the world to come.  Pie in the sky – why yes, but as dessert from a life of “Daily Bread” here below.  Count on it!

Padre