by Yi

Read: Exodus 29:1-30:10, Matthew 26:14-46, Psalm 31:19-24, Proverbs 8:14-26

How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you.
You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those men who conspire against them.
You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues.
Psalm 31:19-20

Relate: This is a very relatable verse for many Christians. Our God is a merciful God who loves us with all his heart. He provided us with “abundant good things” and gave us everything in our sight. As I grew up in a missionary family, I learned more and more about the importance of God’s protection and provision, because our life was based on our faith. I thought my family were the ones that were destined to serve the Lord and suffer for him. I wasn’t content with our life status when I was a kid. I never owned fancy toys and there wasn’t enough quality time with my father because our family was often separated due to my father’s ministry. I complained to God because I wasn’t able to understand how God has blessed us through our works. I have experienced the love of God so often that I have taken it for granted. The income of our family has always been a mystery. We have some donations, and my father has some salary from the church as a full-time pastor, but those are not enough for my tuition. Yet we never worried about money. Just like my father said, “We have to leave so much of what we need in the hands of our God.”

God is our shelter. He has protected my family from the beginning, and we are not aware of it because bad things don’t usually happen to us. However, just a few months ago, I realized how important God’s protection is to us after our house got robbed. We were sad and angry because we lost our valuables. But the negative emotions didn’t stick around for a long time. We then gave thanks to God that none of us were harmed. I guess the thieves were also frustrated when they went through our house and the most valuable things they could find were three cheap phones and two old computers. Yes, God keeps us away from the dangers of men. After the robbery, we gained more than what we lost.

React: As you can see, God cares about us. He has everything under his control, and everything that happened is good in his plan. So, praise the Lord under every circumstance, for he has provided you with your food and your needs, and for he has hidden you from the harmful thoughts of men. King David was able to sing out this Psalm when he was being hunted down by Saul. David is really a faithful man; a man who knows the grace of God. He did not blame God for not helping him or for letting Saul chase him. Instead, he praised God for his protection and provision. He knew that if God wasn’t on his side, he would have been way much worse than just being chased by Saul. The same thing is true for us who are living today. There is nothing that can stop us from praying to God. Always give thanks to God for everything you own, and for what he has done to protect you from the dangers that you haven’t thought of.

Respond:

Dear God,
Heavenly Father, we thank you for our life. You have kept me away from the vicious tongues and intrigues of man, and you have provided us with our daily food and necessities. Please keep guiding us and protecting us as you have always been doing. Give us strength to live strong in everything we are going through. We can not live without your love and your protection.
Amen

Nearly all posts in February and March have as special guest authors the Juniors from the Christian Living class at Faith Academy.