Resting in His Safety

Psalm 4:8
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

Deuteronomy 33:11
"The people of Benjamin are loved by the Lord
and live in safety beside him.
He surrounds them continuously
and preserves them from every harm."

Today these verses have a very special meaning as I contemplate the protection the Lord provides to His children.  As I was sleeping comfortably in my bed Sunday night, my husband had begun a Life Principles Conference in Kakamega, Kenya.  The conference was well received by the twenty-five pastors in attendance and for the most part, went as planned.  As is quite typical, Bill taught with the power and strength of the Holy Spirit giving it his all, and when it was over, he was finished!  His voice was gone; he was physically exhausted yet still had many hours of studying to do in preparation for the next day's conference.  To say the least he was ready for his driver to take him to the hotel so that he could unwind a little before settling in to study.

When in Africa you often have to "go with the flow" and learn to patiently wait!  Something that Bill and I often have difficulty with, and so the Lord continues to provide opportunities to learn.  As I said Bill was ready to go to the hotel, but Pastor Simeon's (the conference host) daughter wanted the driver to run an errand for her first.  Graciously responding, as Pastor James from Nairobi always does, "No problem, Loveless is in no hurry.  He can have a cup of tea and wait." 

Our God is omniscient and sovereign - He knows what is going to happen and He controls the circumstances leading up to every event.  I am so thankful that while I was peacefully sleeping, God was seeing and controlling what was about to take place.  You see, as the driver (his name is Joseph) was running this errand, one of the shocks on the vehicle failed causing him to lose control.  Joseph was not wearing his seat belt and was thrown into the back seat, but oddly enough this saved his life!  Reports have it that the front of the vehicle was demolished.

God’s people are loved by Him and live in safety beside Him.  He surrounds them continuously and preserves them from every harm!  The Lord preserved my husband and kept him safe by the inconvenient delay!  God knew Bill would have sat in the front seat and he would have most definitely had his seat belt on.  He always wears his seat belt, especially in Africa.  That precaution would have resulted in his certain demise had the Sovereign Lord not intervened.

How much of God's protection goes unnoticed, or is considered a major inconvenience, or a great disappointment because things do not go the way we plan.  I know I am guilty of irritation, disappointment, and yes-even anger when delayed or my plans are interrupted.  I pray this life lesson will cause me to always remember that "We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."  (Romans 8:28)  That means ALL things, not just the good and pleasant things!

God controls our destiny and until He is through with us we can rest assured that he will preserve us from every harm.  I praise the Lord that . . . in peace I can lie down and sleep for You alone, O Lord, will keep me safe!