Be Secure In An Unsafe World

How can we be secure living in an unsafe world?

The psalmist tells us through his own experience: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” That’s where we can find true security and peace.

In this psalm, the psalmist reminds us of three things:

(1) Our Security is in God, not in this World

We are to look to the Creator, not the creation, to love the Giver, and not the gifts. This world has little to offer us. He says the earth can give way, the mountains can fall into the sea, and the waters can roar and foam, and the mountains quake.

We are asked to turn to God, for He alone can be our refuge and strength. God is our ever-present help. He is our hope, and nothing else.

We have only one source of security - God. When the economy collapses, wars break out, natural disasters destroy our homes, government fails, our health deteriorates, or friends betray us, God is the only place we can find security. Our world, with all its advancements in education, technology and science, is no safer today than it was thousands of years ago. In fact, we feel more threatened today than those days when people live in villages, in wooden huts.

A true story: A retired couple was alarmed by the threat of nuclear war so they undertook a serious study of all the inhabited places on the globe. Their goal was to determine where in the world would be the place to be least likely affected by a war, a place of ultimate security.

They studied and travelled, travelled and studied. Finally they found the place - an island. And on Christmas they sent their pastor a card from their new home - in the Falkland Islands.

However, history tells us their so-called "paradise" was soon turned into a war zone by Britain and Argentina.

- James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 402.

Anything can happen, at any second. We need to have anti-terrorism drills. We are at the whim of circumstance. There is no security UNLESS we have placed ourselves in the hand of the One who holds eternity, who is in control of all things.

We need to turn to God, more so in these last days. The theme for this year will be PRAYER. Only when we seek God, can we find rest for our soul. The psalmist wrote, “Be still, and know that I am God.” (v.10)

The Bible says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.” (Psalm 20:7-8).

God is waiting to hear us call to Him for help. And if we call, he will respond.

This is important. When you are secure in God, you do not need the security of other things. We believe that God is still in control and seated firmly on His throne. That is why we can say: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” (Psalm 46:1-2).

The second truth we need to have planted deeply in our lives is this:

(2) Our Security comes from our Faith, not from our Circumstance

But the psalmist was able to feel secure and happy, not because of these things. He says in verse 5 - God is within the city, and therefore she will not fall. And in verse 7, “The Lord Almighty is with us…” His faith is in the presence of God, and that gives him hope and security. Not because the city has huge walls or strong gates, not because they are seasoned warriors or have great weapons, but because God is with them.

We pray today, not to have a good life or that God will make us rich. God can bless us materially with riches. God wants us to enjoy His good gifts, just as we want our children to enjoy what we give them. But He does not want us to depend on things - He wants us to depend on Him. Our trust is not in things, but in Him.

We pray for strong faith, that in the midst of a changing world, we will continue to trust that God is with us. His presence will be our peace and joy. We want to have faith in Him, no matter what happens.

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)