It is easy to be saved (Acts 16:31; Rom 10:6-10). But it is a little more difficult to STAY SAVED (Acts 15:11/ Phil.2:12; Matt.10:22). God’s GRACE is however available to whoever desires it . It is all we need (2 Cor. 12:9), Amen. In both (Old and New) Covenants, SALVATION includes PROTECTION (Joel 2:28-32/Acts 2:16-21/ Rom 10:13).
SAFETY (Deut. 33:12; Ps 4:8; Prov. 21:31) and DELIVERANCE (2 Chro. 25:1-15) are words related to DIVINE PROTECTION. Thank God His protection is sure (Ps. 127:1b) and ACCOMPANIES salvation!
EDEN: When God made man, his condition and circumstances on earth were very good (Gen 1:26-31). He, no doubt, was protected by the Lord. Disobedience led to the loss of Eden. (Gen 2:17; 3:22-24), and so the devil became the god of the world (Lk 4:6; Jn. 14:30; 2 Cor.4:4). Only God can give sure protection against the devil on earth (Is. 54 17; Ps 91:14-15; 121). God’s mercy sometimes covers the unbeliever (Matt. 5:44-48), but protection accompanies the saved! Amen. (Is 54:17)
THE GOD OF THIS WORLD: The devil , who rules over the world system (but not over the “informed” believer – Eph 4:27) rules by force. He obsesses, oppresses and possesses. He works through his agents to steal, kill and destroy (Jn10:10). These can be HUMAN (Job 1:15, 17:2; 2 Cor 11:26b; Ephe2:2b; Matt 16:21-23) DEMONIC (Eph. 6:12, or “NATURAL” (Job 1:16, 19; Mk4:35-39)
PROTECTION AND SALVATION: The believer in right standing with God has nothing to fear from the devil. (Prov. 18:10; 12:21; 2 Tim 1:7). Righteousness guarantees safety! E.g.Noah’s days (Gen. 6:6-9; 7:7-17); Moses’ days (Ex. 23: 25-33); Job (Job 1:1-3,6-10). Of course, our righteousness is not of ourselves! (Isa. 64:6; Rom. 10:3-17). Psalm 91 powerfully summarises protection for everyone “in the Lord” (Col. 3:3). See also Is. 43:2; Acts 18:10; 1Thess. 5:23; 2Thess. 3:3, etc.
GOD’S HEDGE: There is a hedge of God around EVERY believer. This is acknowledged by the devil (Job 1:9-10), who finds it impenetrable (Job 1:11-12). It is around our lives (Job1:10; 2:1-6), health ( Job2:4-7), and even sleep! (Job 7:14; Ps. 3:5; 4:8). God’s hedge is around all we have (Job 1:10) i.e.our children (Job 1:12, 18-19), households (Job 1:12, 15), and property (Job 1:12, 14-17). The HEDGE can be partially or fully removed (Job 1:9-12; 2: 3-7), through SIN (Is. 59:1-2) FEAR (Job3:25), UNBELIEF (Matt 13:58) and DISOBEDIENCE (1 Sam 28:17-19), etc .
God uses His (usually invisible) FIRE (Zech. 2:5); ‘guardian’ Angel(s) (Ps. 34:7; 2 Kgs 6:15-17; the BLOOD BARRIER (Ex. 12:21-23); FEAR (Gen. 35:24; Prov. 21:1 etc.
The believer’s FAITH (“hyssop”) is needed to appropriate God’s protection (Ex. 12:22-23; 1 Kings 4:33). It (Divine protection) ensures for us, even long life! (Prov. 19:23; Ex. 23:25-26; Gen 25:8; Ps 91:16).
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