Real protection
About 12 years ago I was in Africa with Compassion Australia (one of our mission connections here at St. Phil's and St. Mark's). The poverty was overwhelming. One image that stood out to me was a house that was made of cardboard boxes. It looked like the sort of thing I would construct as a young child/ But a family was living in that cardboard house. I wondered what protection they would have from the rain, the wind, the hot African sun, not to mention the wild animals. I wondered how you raise a family in a cardboard house. I wondered how they protect themselves from the elements and starvation.
Psalm 40 begins:
Psalm 40:1-2
1I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
in his desperation, David who felt like he was in the mud of life, calls out to God with confidence. This is the God who gives us a firm place to stand. And how does he do this? With walls of brick? ith a tiled roof? With a full stomach? Not always. Our protection comes from somewhere far more basic and necessary...
Psalm 40:11
11Do not with hold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
Our protection comes from God's mercy, love and faithfulness. There is where real protection begins - with a faithful God who is sovereign over all of life.
What amazed me most about those living in poverty in Africa was their trust in God for everything. They were not distracted by many human comforts or worldly possessions. God was enough. God was their true comfort and protection.
Where do you find your comfort? Where do you look for protection? Sometimes we may find ourselves waiting impatiently for the world, but David reminds us to wait patiently for the Lord, our true protection in life.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Give me contentment with you. May I find my deepest trust in you. Forgive me when I seek fulfilment from the worldly things in life. Remind me today that true comfort and peace come only from you, in this life and the next.
Amen.