Psalms 105:13 – 15 ‘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.’
DAILY READING; Revelation 3; Nehemiah 4; Psalm 98
Newly declassified documents reveal that in November 1983, at the height of Cold War tensions, the United States and the Soviet Union came very close to a nuclear war.
This was during a massive military training exercise known as ‘Able Archer’, in which NATO countries practiced how to use nuclear weapons in the event of a war in Europe.
NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization which was formed in 1949 by a number of countries to provide collective security against the threat posed by the Soviet Union. These countries include Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.
In 1983, their militaries had come together in a drill that was made to appear like a real war. This exercise involved a fleet of cargo transport planes flying 19,000 soldiers in 170 sorties from the United States to bases in Europe. The planes were loaded with dummy bombs that looked remarkably real.
The Soviets who were monitoring all of this mistakenly believed that the U.S. and NATO really were about to launch a nuclear first strike against the USSR.
Soviet military commanders were ordered to get ready to retaliate and make preparations for the immediate use of nuclear weapons. As part of that order, Soviet military loaded actual nuclear bombs onto several combat planes and got ready for an attack.
This situation would easily have escalated to an actual nuclear war had it not been for a single American officer, Lt. Gen. Leonard Perroots who was the intelligence chief for U.S. Air Forces in Europe. When he got intelligence information from a spy working in the Soviet Union detailing what the Soviets were about to do, he quickly took steps to alert his superiors, who in turn immediately informed leaders of the Soviet Union that it was only a drill. And so what might otherwise have been a deadly escalation was immediately arrested.
It is indeed amazing that despite the many times the world had come close to complete disaster, God has continued to preserve humanity by steering men away from the brink of self-destruction.
It is certainly, a testament of God’s faithfulness that the world still exists today, despite the wide possibilities of destruction.
Though this present generation has developed the capability to destroy the entire earth through a nuclear war, yet God does not let it happen.
Despite the many close calls, God remains in control of the entire universe and continues to run things according to His divine agenda.
In the same way, concerning our lives as believers, God remains in perfect control. Despite how uncertain things may sometimes seem, our lives are in His hands. He has said that no hair can fall from our heads without Him knowing.
We are never alone in the journey of destiny because God is always our ever present help and refuge. Indeed our safety and security are not in the hands of any man, or government, but in God’s hands alone. 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. …”
Truly, in these perilous times, God’s Presence is our assurance of safety. We maintain His presence through diligently holding on to His Word, fervent prayers and a praise-full lifestyle.
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.’
The Presence of God places a ‘touch not seal’ upon us which makes us 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.
Today as we abide in God’s Word and bless Him at all times, certainly, His Presence will make all the difference in our lives.
PRAYER: Father, I know that You are my Source, my Defender, fortress, hiding place, Stronghold and Shield. Because my life is hid in Christ, and Christ is hid in You, I know I am totally protected. Thank You Lord, for always surrounding me with Your Power in Jesus Name. .
QUOTE
The study of The Word will keep shame and disgrace far from you. WORDBITE 222