There are things God has protected us from that we may never know about. Sometimes we celebrate what happened, but we rarely stop to thank God for what did not happen. Protection is one of the quietest forms of God's presence. .
“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”
— Psalm 34:7 (KJV)
We often recognize God's hand when He opens a door, but we must also recognize His hand when He closes one.
There are journeys we never made, decisions we never took, relationships that never developed, opportunities that disappeared, and situations from which God preserved us.
At the time, we may have wondered why. Later, we may discover that God's protection was hidden inside what looked like disappointment.
Psalm 121 declares that the Lord preserves our going out and our coming in.
This does not mean believers will never experience difficulty. Scripture itself contains many examples of faithful people who went through trials.
But God's promise is that He remains with His people and preserves them according to His purpose.
Sometimes God's protection is deliverance from the situation.
Other times it is His presence in the situation.
Either way, His presence remains our confidence.
Therefore, don't only thank God for the doors He opened. Thank Him for the doors He closed.
Don't only celebrate the dangers you escaped. Thank Him for the dangers you never knew existed.
There is evidence of God's presence all around your story.
Reflection
- What has God protected me from that I may have overlooked?
- Can I remember a closed door that later proved to be protection?
- Do I consciously thank God for His preservation?
Prayer
Father, thank You for protecting me in ways I know and in ways I do not know. Thank You for every danger You have prevented and every wrong path You have kept me from taking. Give me wisdom to recognize Your protection and faith to trust You when I do not understand Your decisions. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Daily Declaration
The Lord is my keeper.
He watches over my going out and my coming in.
I trust God's protection.
I will not live in fear.
My life is preserved according to God's purpose.
Amen.