Proverbs 29:25. The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
People often think they’re safe, when they are in extreme danger.
Jeremiah 8:11 saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
We are in perilous times. Things can change overnight, spiritually, physically, politically and worldwide. We are on the edge of something. This is not a time to listen to false words of those in power or of the media. It’s time to stick closer to God than ever. That’s the only safe place. A closet isn’t your safe place. A bar isn’t your safe place. A friend or family member isn’t your safe place. America certainly isn’t a safe place. Only God, and the things that bring you closer to God, are your safe place.
What are they?
1. God Himself. Love Him. Talk to Him (prayer) and listen to Him (through His Word). Thank Him. Reflect on His great miracles in the past, His miracles through nature, His miracles and provisions in your day to day life.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2. Teach others about God. I have learned that the act of teaching in itself is the best teacher. I flunked calculus. I was convinced they made it up as they went along. I switched my major to Psychology. Then in the army I was given a one year billet as calculus instructor (typical army way of doing things, I wanted to be in PsyOps). Now I am shocked how easily calculus is after teaching it for a year. Teach others about God, your walk will be better, and you’ll learn more about Him in the process. It’s good, but be careful. The more you teach the more you will accountabile for. For me that’s a good thing. I want to be better and closer to God. I don’t want to be just barely saved. I want crowns and rewards in heaven. I want others to have them too.
James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
3. Testimony. Living a life worthy of being called a Christian. Sometimes people want to say ‘speak up! Your actions are so loud I can’t hear what you say!’ Telling others about God. What He’s done in your life. God’s great feats Talk about Jesus, Don’t talk about your opinions, or other ministries and people (which born again Christians are famous for), fears, don’t talk politics or news (because to repeat a lie is to lie). As you testify (tell others about Jesus you are putting yourself out on a limb, and drawing closer to the Lord.
Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
4. Pray (talk to God). Loud voice. Silently. Laying down. Walking (my favorite). Kneeling. I personally am not big on coorporate prayer, it’s more of a private thing. The Lord’s Prayer as a guide (not rote memory) tongues sometimes. Spend time pouring your heart out. ‘Now I lay me down to sleep doesn’t cut it’. Intercede (I challenge you to intercede for others without using the word ‘bless’)
Lamentation 2:19 “Arise, cry out in the night, At the beginning of the watches; Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him For the life of your young children, Who faint from hunger at the head of every street.”
5. Reading the Bible. How do you know about what God can do if you don’t read the Bible. How do you know His promises? How can He speak to you. A person that tells you that God speaks to him or her every day in a loud voice isn’t being truthful and you should avoid them. The Bible is it’s best commentary. Stay away from maps and commentaries in the Bible. They are not the anointed Word of God. Reading the Word takes up a lot of time. Sure commentaries might help but I don’t personally pay much attention to them. I do like sermons though.
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
6. Sing about God and what God has done. In prison ministries I love to sing Moses’ song, Maria’s song and psalms. Singing for me is a good way to memorize God’s feats. I don’t like sing about my feelings. I don’t like manipulating tear drops of emotion. That’s why I lean more to hymns (Hims) of old. I just read a song written to ‘Rah’ (Egypt’s sun god). It starts out with the line of one of my EX favorite praise and worship songs ‘THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU!’ Wow! Existential (lovey-dubby feeling songs) are written to play with your emotions, not to bring you closer to God. Ask AI (artificial intelligence) to write you a praise and worship song. It’ll pluck your heart strings, probably make kwave’s top 20 within a week, but is written by a computer.
Psalm 96:1 Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; Shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people. For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods.
7. Congregate. Congregating with the right people brings you closer to the Lord. Big organized churches are definitely not my safe zone. They may very well be for others. In fact they are the safe zone for many of my friends. But be careful. I have seen and done way too much in large congregations to trust them. Uncaring or even down right evil self-serving pastors. But the congregation a lot of times worse. The biggest, harshest, most legalistic people I have ever met in a congregation aren’t even walking with the Lord anymore, but Satan used them to drive a lot of people away while they were congregating. But a small huddle is definitely my safe zone. 2 or 3 brothers sharing each others burden. My daily Bible study (no more than 12) definitely is my safe zone. We are told to be together.
Hebrew 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
8. Be in the moment personally. That is where God is. You can’t do anything about the past. For me, it’s mostly about kicking myself. You can’t do anything about the future. That never happens the way you plan. Be in the now, and don’t let ruined plans frustrate you. The now is your safe place where God is. Nothing will move you if you are not reacting to past experiences or trying to predict the future.
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me.
Actively seek your safe place. God is your safe place.
James 4:8 Draw close to God and He will draw near to you.