Out of Harm's Way

May 27, 2010
Read Psalms 120 – 121

Ps 121:7-8
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm —
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

CAN YOU trust this scripture? “The LORD will keep you from all harm”. How does that fit into the reality of life? After all, harm comes to all of us in some way. Sometimes in small ways, sometimes in giant ways harm breaks in and we wonder, “Where is God? What about his promise? Is he really worth trusting and following?”

Is this some great, empty hope, or is it really true that “The LORD will keep you from all harm”?

It is true harm comes to our mortal lives. We cannot escape it because of a sin we might commit or what sin people might commit against us. But the “harm” the psalmist refers to is beyond our temporary trouble. He is referring to the eternal harm of condemnation and death without God.

Perhaps a more clear view of this verse is in the New King James Version: “The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.”

This is the eternal truth that we must focus on, even in dark days of harm. How do we know it is true? We know because God allowed harm to come to his own Son that we might be saved for all eternity.

When you think you are horribly persecuted, when you are feeling sorry for yourself and wondering, “Why me, God?” Just stop and think of “Why the cross?”

And know this: The harm of the cross is for you. You, my friend, your sin, sent Jesus into harm’s way, a horrible death.

And the harm that came to him has released you from harm forevermore. Amen.

---Enjoy a blessed Memorial Day weekend. Take time to honor our fallen soldiers and their families. In the pattern of our Lord, They went into harm’s way to protect you.