Secure in the Midst of Danger

By F. D. Adkins

I do not usually watch the news. Murder, human trafficking, the latest death toll from Covid, chaos in the Middle East… the media gives us the grim details of the dangers that surround us. Hearing about all of this turmoil makes it hard not to be scared, and as a parent, these horrors that exist in our world terrify me for the safety of my children. Even though I try not to listen to the news, I cannot avoid having knowledge of the realities of this dark world. This past week I have been reading the book of Job and thinking about how bad things happen to good people. How can I feel secure in the midst of danger when I know horrible things happen? The Bible says in Psalm 112:7 that we should not be afraid of bad news, and Isaiah 54:17 says that no weapon “against thee shall prosper”(KJV).

• “A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:5-7 KJV
• “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17 KJV.

Okay, so I should not be afraid of bad news, but why. The news is pretty scary, and we know that the devil is romping around wreaking all sorts of havoc.

First, I need to be aware of the enemy.

• ^“And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” Job 1:7 KJV
• ^“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12 KJV
•  ^“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV

Satan is here. He is blinding unbelievers to the truth. But for believers, 1 John 4:4 reminds that “…greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (KJV)

Next, I need to be aware that God is in control. He has already defeated the enemy, and the devil knows he does not have much time left.  

• “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. …” Romans 16:20 KJV

Finally, this world is not my home, so whatever comes my way may not be easy because we know there will be trouble and tribulation in this life, but I have the promise of eternity with no more pain or sorrow.

• “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.’” Revelation 21:4-7 KJV.

Paul said in Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (KJV). In Philippians 1:27-28, Paul goes on to say, “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God” (KJV).

Looking at the example of Paul, he had experienced pain and suffering from two angles. Prior to his transformation, Paul brought pain and suffering upon believers in Christ. Paul not only witnessed the stoning of Stephen but, according to Act 8:1 KJV, Paul gave his consent for Stephen’s death.” However, the important thing to note here is Stephen did not die. Stephen was moving to his permanent residence. Acts 7:55 KJV states that Stephen, “being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.” So, picture it. Jesus is standing, not sitting, at the right hand of God ready to welcome Stephen home.

Just as Paul wrote to the Corinthians about the devil blinding the minds of unbelievers, Paul known as Saul up until this point had been blinded by the devil. Saul had set out to get rid of followers of Jesus. Ironically, Paul used the word blinded when describing the devil’s tactics on unbelievers. However, God got Paul’s attention by blinding him with bright light. God took action and transformed Saul. Saul became Paul.

• “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV.

Paul, a man that once condemned Christians, now endured beatings and prison for his faith in Christ.

Yes, it is true that we live in a frightening world. It is the same world that Saul witnessed and consented to Stephen being stoned to death. It is the same world where people condemned our Savior and watched as He suffered and died on a cross.

But it is the same world where God is in ultimate control.  God sent his Son so that we could live with Him forever. God transformed Saul into the Apostle Paul who went on to write thirteen books of the New Testament. So why fear when I know the outcome. Jesus will be there to welcome His children home.

• “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever.” 2 Timothy 4:18 KJV

As for the fears I have for my children, I can pray with them, teach them about Jesus, and read the Bible with them, but they have to accept Jesus as their personal Savior. I pray fervently that God would let the “glorious gospel of Christ…shine unto them,” and that each of them would be truly transformed into a new creation in Christ because if we are in Christ, we have nothing to fear.