Guarded for God's Glory

My beloved brethren, cast your minds to the wondrous care of our God, whose eye never slumbers, and whose mighty hand is never shortened! We find ourselves oft in situations that try our faith, much like King David, hiding in the cave of Adullam, surrounded by foes and fearing for his very life. Yet, what was his comfort? "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them." A spiritual fortress, indeed, for sheer preservation! Here, God’s hand was extended for survival, for rescue from immediate peril.

But behold the glorious unfolding of God's purpose! Fast forward to the dawn of the New Covenant, when Peter and the apostles, having boldly preached Christ crucified and risen, found themselves in earthly chains, silenced by the very men who scoffed at angels and the resurrection itself. Did God merely encamp around them in their cell? Nay! A divine emissary, a glorious angel, did more than protect; he *opened the doors* of the jail and led them forth! What sublime irony for the Sadducees!

But mark this, dear friends: the liberation was not for retreat. "Go," commanded the heavenly messenger, "stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life!" Back into the very jaws of opposition!

So, what lesson is ours? Our God protects us, not for our ease, nor to remove us from every trial, but to empower us for His glorious mission! His "encamping" around us becomes the means by which we are propelled into the public square, bold to proclaim "the Words of this Life." Our safety is not the absence of danger, but the enduring presence of His power *within* the danger, making us fearless in His service. Let us, therefore, fear the Lord alone, and obey Him rather than man, knowing that no earthly prison can bind His message, and no human authority can silence His chosen heralds. We are preserved not to hide, but to proclaim; not to retreat, but to advance His Kingdom with unyielding resolve. The Word of God remains eternally unbound, and so must our witness!

(Source: A modern reflection adopted from the style of Charles Spurgeon)