The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
Proverbs 21:31
Shortly after Beneth and I were married, we came home one Sunday night after church to find two men robbing our home. As we walked in the front door, they were climbing out of our dining room windows with our a number of our belongings. That break-in shook us up and brought fear into our lives, fear that created a number of conversations between us regarding Proverbs 21:31. We knew that there was wisdom in adding some safety measures and protections to our home, but how much were we supposed to add? What was our role, and what did we need to just trust the Lord about?
There will always be a tension between protecting ourselves and trusting God to protect us. The believer must follow good stewardship principles in protecting himself, those for whom he is responsible, and the material items placed in his care. In other words, has God given you a home? Then, in order to be a good steward of that home, lock the doors before you leave it unattended. Has God given you a baby? Then buckle him up well in a good car seat before heading out on a road trip. Those are examples of preparing the horse for battle. But in the end, the believer must realize that the only real security in this world comes from God: “safety is of the Lord.” By faith, we resolve the tension between doing what we can as a wise steward to protect ourselves and being able to lie down at night and peacefully leave ourselves in God’s hands.
As believers, we must always look for a spiritual solution to a physical challenge. It is not that we ignore the physical side of a challenge, but we recognize that the challenge is not only physical. There is a spiritual side to every event in the believer’s life. Whether the event is perceived as good or bad, we are still supposed to thank the Lord for “all things”; and the only way we can do that is to view the challenge from a spiritual perspective. How can we do this?
Do not worry, but pray for safety and God’s protection.
Philippians 4:6–7, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Trust in the Lord to settle accounts.
Proverbs 22:23, "For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them." (Also 1 Samuel.15:2 and Romans 12:19)
Exercise prudent (wise) preparation and be good stewards of the things that God has placed in your care. Don’t be careless or neglectful with this great responsibility.
Proverbs 22:3, "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished."
Realize that it is literally impossible to protect yourself from all danger and outside threats, no matter how strong or wealthy you are.
Psalm 33:16, "There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength."
Remember that real safety is in God’s hands, not ours.
Psalm 4:8, "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety."
Use events like shutdowns, economic challenges, and COVID-19 as reminders of the eternal nature of our ministry and lives and of where our real wealth is.
Matthew 6:19–21, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
A number of things are building fear in our hearts these days—viruses, financial struggles, and the increased presence of riots and civil unrest. Regardless of the cause of your fears, the solutions remain the same. We must practice good stewardship with what God has given us, while keeping an unwavering trust in God.