Psalm 23:4-5: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. …”
- DAILY READING Luke 4:1-30; Ezekiel 44-45; Isaiah 64
It is indeed amazing that despite the many times the world has come close to complete disaster, God has still preserved humanity and often steered it away from the brink of self-destruction. One of such divine interventions happened on the night of 26th September 1983.
This was the period of the cold war between the U.S and the USSR. At this time the two countries had several nuclear weapons pointed at each other, and seemed ready to go to war at the slightest provocation. In the early hours of 26th September 1983, the Soviet Union’s early-warning systems detected an incoming missile strike from the United States. Computer readouts suggested several missiles had been launched by the U.S against Russia. At that time the standard protocol for the Soviet military was immediate retaliation with its own nuclear bomb. However, the military officer on duty that night was lieutenant colonel Petrov. He was part of a team well-trained to detect early Nuclear attack and respond immediately. Yet that night, despite the fact that the alert level was “highest” and the big computer screen was screaming ‘launch!”, prompting him to take action; he couldn’t bring himself to immediately respond. Not doing anything was a breach of his instructions, a dereliction of duty, yet his decision may have saved the world from a Nuclear war. It was fortunate that he was the one on duty that night, as he was the only officer in his team who had received a civilian education. His other colleagues were all professional soldiers, who were taught to obey orders and would have immediately responded. Fortunately it later turned out that the whole thing had been a false alarm due to computer malfunction. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the story of his wise action that averted a nuclear war was reported by the press. As a result he received several international awards in recognition of his heroic deed.
It is indeed a testament of God’s faithfulness that the world still exists, despite the wide possibilities of destruction. It has been said this generation is the only one that has developed the capability to destroy the earth. And yet God does not let it happen. Indeed God is in control of the affairs of the universe. He is running things according to His divine agenda. And especially concerning our lives as believers, God is in perfect control. He has said that no hair can fall from our heads without Him knowing. And despite how uncertain things may sometimes seem, our lives are in His hands. Indeed our safety and security are not in the hands of any man, or government, but in God’s hands. And as long as He is with us, we are protected from evil.
Psalm 23:4-5: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. …”
We must always remember that we are never alone in this journey of destiny. .In these perilous times, God’s Presence is our assurance of safety. And one way to maintain His presence is through living a praise-full lifestyle. Let His praise continually be on our lips at all times. In this world of uncertainty His Presence is our only guarantee of protection. This is why we must strive to live holy and walk according to His Word so as to abide in His perfect will. And as long as we are in His will, we will be too defended to be victims.
Psalms 105:13 – 15 says ‘When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people; He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.’
Indeed every child of God carries a ‘touch not seal’ that makes him or her inaccessible to the forces of darkness. And as God’s Presence surrounds us, a thousand may fall at our side and ten thousand at our right hand, but it will not come near us, because God is our Source, our Defender, our fortress, our hiding place, Stronghold and Shield
PRAYER: Father, because my life is hid in Christ, and Christ is hid in You, I know I am totally protected. Thank You Lord, for always giving Your angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways in Jesus Name. .
QUOTE
When you obey God’s instruction you are delivered from destruction