I Am Vulnerable; God Can Protect!

August 15, 2024                             Posted

I Am Vulnerable; God Can Protect!

When I first saw the flames burning tall and bright in the wildfire just west of where we live in Loveland, Colorado, there was a momentary twinge deep inside of me.  Yes, there was awe at something so powerful and out-of-control.  Yes, there was wonder at how something so destructive got started.  And yes, there was some fear because I felt vulnerable. 

I was afraid that if the direction of the winds shifted and increased in velocity that we might have to evacuate our home.  People just six miles down the road had already been asked to voluntarily evacuate.  I confess there were a few moments when I was afraid we might lose our home and everything inside.

Fear is not something I experience very often.  Some would argue the reason is I am “playing it safe” most of the time.  Occasionally, that might be true.  But, there is something else at play; fear has an enemy named faith! 

About 600 years before the birth of Jesus, there was a preacher named Jeremiah.  The Lord God had called Jeremiah to speak God’s message to the people of Israel.  It was a difficult time for the Israelites.  Seventy years prior to Jeremiah’s preaching, most of the bright and wealthy people, the powerful and influential people as well as the strong and successful people had been taken from their homes in Israel and dragged into captivity in Babylon.

The Israelites were prisoners and refugees in a country not their own.  Their lives were filled with days of trouble.  God’s people were vulnerable; many were filled with fear!

Jeremiah helps the Israelites face their, and his own, days of trouble by remembering that God is strong, God is aware, and God will protect.  In Jeremiah 16:19 the preacher writes; “O Lord, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of trouble…” 

Even when it seemed life could be no more difficult, no more unfair, and no more evil, Jeremiah remembers that the Lord God is his stronghold; i.e., the Lord God will protect him when he feels vulnerable and afraid!

In Proverbs 2:7 we hear a similar promise; “…he (God) stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk blamelessly…”  King Solomon trusted the Lord God would be a shield, a safeguard, and a protector even when he was afraid.

In Psalm 18:2 we hear the promise again.  The Psalmist writes; “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”  Even when their were moments of vulnerability and fear, King David had no doubt that the Lord God was his strong protector.

Jeremiah, King Solomon, and King David knew what it was like to be vulnerable and afraid.  However, they also chose to trust the Lord God was their protector.

I am vulnerable; God can protect!

When I walk through whatever troubles the day brings my way with deep faith in the Lord’s wisdom and strength and love, I do not need to fear.  Instead, I can trust in the Lord to protect me.  The assurance that comes with faith in Jesus as my protecter gives me strength and courage as I navigate through the troubles and trials and temptations of today.

A raging wildfire in the mountains is a bit concerning when it is only ten miles away.  The smoke and ash falling each day from that wildfire is a constant reminder that danger is lurking nearby.  It is easy to feel vulnerable.  It is easy to feel afraid.  However, even when there is danger threatening me, I will choose to trust in the Lord God as my protector. 

But, there is something more.  The hot temperatures, incredibly low humidity, and too little rain this summer are a constant reminder that I am often not in control of the things that cause me to feel vulnerable or afraid.  Sometimes I am afraid because the danger is very real and very near.  Sometimes I am afraid because I realize I am not in control of another person, a particular situation, or even God.

I imagine you know someone who is afraid right now. 

+Maybe your friend lost their job recently and feel vulnerable because they will not be able to pay their bills before they get another job. 

+Maybe your friend has just experienced a relationship blow-up and are afraid there will be damage to other relationships they value. 

+Maybe your friend has just received a diagnosis from a doctor and feel vulnerable because their lifestyle will change dramatically or afraid their life will end much sooner than they thought.

The good news is when your friend feels vulnerable, God can protect.

Invite your friend to share a cup of coffee this week.  Ask them for an update on their circumstances.  Engage them around the topic of their deepest fear.  Then, take an opportunity to share God’s promise that even in their days of trouble, God will protect them.  If the Spirit leads, I encourage you to pray with them, too. 

When you share the promise of God’s protection something will happen; their faith will grow deeper and your faith will grow deeper.  When your faith grows deeper your heart will desire nothing more than to take delight in the Lord for His protection when troubles, trials, and temptations get the best of us and the people about whom we care.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug