HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 274
page A272
Protection continued
• 2 C O R I NT H I A NS 1 2 :7 | I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment
me and keep me from becoming proud.
At other times, even God’s chosen servants experience devastating physical hardship and
suffering. These are the times when our faith is put to the test, and we must not lose our
eternal perspective.
• PSA L M 1 7 :8 -1 5 | Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. . . . When I awake, I will
see you face to face and be satisfied. (See note on page 487.)
The psalmist prays to God for protection from enemies yet trusts that ultimate safety is
God’s salvation that leads to the hope of heaven.
• PH I L I P P I A NS 4 :7 | His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Through consistent and devoted prayer, we can know the protection of God’s supernatural
peace.
• J E R E MI A H 4 2 :1 3 -1 6 | “But if you refuse to obey the Lord . . . ‘the very war and famine you
fear will catch up to you.’ ” (See note on page 705.)
Jeremiah teaches the relationship between our obedience and the protection of God.
• R O MA NS 5 :3 -5 | We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials . . . (See note on
page 1016.)
When God does not prevent suffering, he promises strength to endure through the
Holy Spirit.
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• DE U T E R O NO MY 3 0 :2 0 | “If you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land.”
Through his Word, God offers wisdom that helps us avoid needless peril.
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If an accident, tragedy, or illness occurs, does it mean God is punishing me
for something?
• J O H N 9 :3 | “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This
happened so the power of God could be seen in him.”
God is better understood not as the cause of our suffering but as the redeemer of our
suffering.
If God doesn’t guarantee physical safety, what’s the point of faith?
• J O H N 1 7 :1 6 | “They do not belong to this world any more than I do.” (See note on page 973.)
Faith has more to do with the eternal safety of our souls than the physical safety of our
bodies.
• 2 T I MOT H Y 1 :1 2 | For I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to
guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.
Faith is trusting God to guard and keep that which is eternal—our souls.
• 1 P E T E R 2 :2 5 | But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.
Christ, the Shepherd of our souls, guards us from the enemy’s attacks.
• 1 P E T E R 3 :1 8 | He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God.
Faith in Christ gives us safe passage to our eternal home.
Is it wrong, then, to pray for safety for ourselves and our loved ones?
• A C T S 1 2 :5 | But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him. (See
note on page 992.)
God always welcomes the confession of our desires when offered in submission to his will.
• R O MA NS 1 :1 0 | One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come
at last to see you.
Paul’s desire for safety in travel was rooted in his desire to minister to others.
• 2 C O R I NT H I A NS 1 :1 1 | You are helping us by praying for us.
The early apostles depended on the prayers for safety that were offered by the churches.