YOU CAN BE PROTECTED

 

In similarity to what we experience in today's world, wickedness has been in existence as far back as the time of Noah. Whatever we see today is nothing new, this has to be the nature of man from Adam. It greatly grieved the heart of God that man turned out to be this destructive and unproductive, hence He decided to bring an end to all men on earth at that time. Genesis 6:5-6, "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6, And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart". The whole creature was unintentionally wiped out of the surface of the earth except Noah that found grace in the sight of God, he was saved together with his household having kept specific instructions from God. The bible tells us in Genesis 6:8, "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD".

It is important to note that the wickedness of man on earth is on the rise as days go by. There is the news of unimaginable incidents happening all around the world. Global pandemic and crisis of different types erupting every day. Terrorism and ethnic war are taken over the whole continents. Nowhere can be regarded again as a safe haven, terror is been unleashed anywhere, anytime, regardless of whoever is involved and lives are being lost carelessly on a daily basis. Considering all these unpalatable incidents around us today, there is no needed time for divine protection than now.

We can put in place various measures humanly possible to stop this unavoidable threat, it is important to know that protection is not guaranteed in human wisdom but, safety is of the Lord. Proverbs 21:31, "The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD". 
It does not matter how fortified a city might be, the bible says in Psalm 127:1, "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain". Joshua 6:1-26, Jericho indeed was a city well fortified with a strong wall which has a width as wide as a four-lane major express road surrounding the whole city and giving no access to outsiders except the gate is opened. It took God no time to bring down and flattened the wall within a twinkling of an eye so that the Children of Israel could take over and possess the land.
When God is with you, enemies in their thousand is not even enough to bring you down because one with God is more than a majority. 2 Kings 6:8-23, Elisha was a target for the Syrian army to capture when the city was surrounded but, little did they know that the invisible host of heaven surrounding Elisha was more than they. Elisha simply told his servant in 2Kings 6:16, "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them". 
Pregnancy, many a time prone to come along with fear of safe delivery, but regardless of whatever measure in place to prevent any evil outcome of the pregnancy or any frightening report from the doctor, the word of God declared "Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety", 1 Timothy 2:15.

From the account of the days of Noah, there were two types of terror unleashed on mankind; first, man-made terror which was simply man against man. And, secondly, the divine terror of God against man.

One important thing worthy of note is when it is man against man, there could be a way of escape. For instance;

The children of Israel survived a period of slavery in the hand of Pharaoh while in Egypt. (Your season of slavery in Egypt comes to an end now). 

Daniel was protected against the attack of the lion when he was thrown into the lion's den. (The Lord shall protect you from the hand of every satanic lion in the name of Jesus).  

Shadrach, Mesach, and Abednego were preserved when disobeyed the devilish order of the king and thereby thrown into the flame of fire in Babylon. (May the Lord preserve you from every fire of downfall in the name of Jesus).

Elisha survived the ambush of the host of Syrian, 2Kings 6. (From today, your enemies have lost their sight both physical and spiritual, and you have escaped their ambush in the name of Jesus).

David survived the evil plots of King Saul against him, 1Samuel 18:10-16. (Every evil plot against your life is becoming a divine appointment in the name of Jesus)

Joseph was protected from the plans of his brothers to end his life, Genesis 41:1-45. Even the city of Samaria was besieged by the host of Syrians but was delivered after a prophetic utterance by Prophet Elisha, 2Kings 7:1-9. There is no doubt in my heart, as long as God liveth and we remain His children, there is a way of escape for us from every form of terrorism by men in the name of Jesus Christ.

But, when it is God against man, there is nowhere to hide. Unlike man, God unleashed His terror on men after they have gone beyond the bearable limits and they have refused to yield repeated warnings from the Lord. However, when the wrath of God comes upon man, he has no means whatsoever to withstand it. 

Sodom and Gomorrah were recognized for their wickedness, God endured it for a season, then His judgment was released on them, Genesis 19:1-29. Please note, the whole cities were burnt to ashes with no one came out alive except Noah and his two daughters. Even the wife could not escape for an obvious reason, she disobeyed the instruction not to look back while coming out of the city. However, she did and became a pillar of salt, Genesis 19:26. 

Pharaoh was at loggerhead with God when he was asked to let the people of God go and serve their God. As a result, the terror of God was released upon Egypt because of the disobedience of Pharaoh. In ten different plagues, God visited the Egyptians with tears and blood until Pharaoh forcefully allowed the exit of the Israelites from Egypt, Exodus 5-12.

Nebuchadnezzar became so proud of his achievement as a king. In his thought, he saw himself as the one possessed all he had by his power and he refused to give God the glory. In response to his folly, God took away his sanity, he left the throne and was in the forest with wild animals for seven years before he was able to regain back his sanity. Meanwhile, God made it possible that the wild animals could not do him any harm and also that no man could take over his throne, all to show him that God is the most powerful. He came back to his senses and knew without being told that God Almighty, He is God. 

King Herod on one occasion arrayed himself as the king and rendered a poem that made men liken him to gods. He failed to reject the praises of men and recognize God as the Giver of all wisdom. In response to his folly as well, while still sitting on his throne, worms ate him up. 

And finally, all men leaving on earth during the time of Noah were wiped out except Noah and his household that was singled out for God's favour, Genesis 6. This is why I know today that no terrorist group in the world is bigger than God. It does not matter how organized, equipped and strategic they are in carrying out their demonic activities, they can not escape the wrath of God. They can make the loudest noise, but God is far bigger, stronger and louder than they are.

There could be terror from man indeed, and there could be the wrath of God upon all men, but your case can be exceptionally different and you can be protected. How does this become reality, you may ask? We have the account of men surviving all the wickedness of men against one another. So also, we have seen men preserved by God even in His wrath against mankind as a whole. These, therefore, are evidence that you also can be protected by God even in this perilous time.

Here are a few things to consider when seeking divine protection;

1. You must be born again, Genesis 6:8, "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD". Psalm 91:1-2, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Highest shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”. Psalm 37:39-40, "But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. 40, And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them because they trust in him". 
2. Have faith in God and His word, Mark 16:16, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned". Deuteronomy 28:1, 7, "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 7, The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways". Daniel 6:23, "Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him because he believed in his God". Daniel 3:28, "Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed, be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered the servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God".
3. Refuse to fear (Proverbs 29:25). 
   - Fear comes with pictures that do not agree with scriptures - 2 Corinthians 10:5.
4. Declare boldly - Psalm 91:2.
   - Until you talk protection, you cannot enjoy protection.
   - Do not talk about what is happening, talk about what is written.
   - You cannot enjoy divine protection if you do not declare the Word of God boldly in the face of adversity.
   - God will never confirm any word you have not declared 

Conclusion

The wickedness of man here on earth is currently at its peak, and as a student of the bible, I doubt if there is going to be any positive change in this regard. However, you can be protected and escape if you allow God to take charge of your life by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior.