Proverbs 2:8 He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.

      How many times has God come through for you, by protecting you from something you were the reason protection was needed? We see God coming to the rescue continually to help and protect people from their own dumb and nonsensical decisions. The Lord promised a saviour for Adam and Eve after they had sinned, resulting in salvation for anyone who chose God’s gift of salvation through Christ. At another time, God sent a whale to pick up Jonah while he was running away in disobedience of the instructions God had given him. God is continually on guard and looking out for us. Isa. 52:12 You will not leave in a hurry, running for your lives. For the LORD will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind.
      I have recently been protected for two dumb things I did with my house and car keys. The other morning, I was looking for my keys and could not find them anywhere. I went out to the car to see if I had left them there. Then I noticed the keys in the outside door keyhole. The keys were cold from being there all night. Great burglar protection. Just leave the keys in the lock for anyone to use. Again, the other morning, while meeting friends at a restaurant, I left my keys in the car ignition with the doors unlocked. I only noticed the keys were missing as I was leaving the restaurant. Not a good car-theft deterrent. All I could say was, “Thank you, Lord, for protecting me from myself.” Prov. 2:8 He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.
      We try to control everything that goes on around us. We think we can keep on top of every aspect of our lives, but time and time again, we see that we come up short of the perfection and security we are trying to create. We even try to protect ourselves from the inevitability of death which is in God’s control and domain. Eccl. 8:8 None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. There is no escaping that obligation, that dark battle. And in the face of death, wickedness will certainly not rescue the wicked. We need God to protect us from our narcissistic belief that we have it all under control and that we are on top of it all. How deceived we can become, by not realizing that even our breath is lent to us by God. Isa. 2:22a Put no more trust in a mere human, who has only the breath in his nostrils.
      I often look around and wonder how we, as a human race, have made it this far. We only have to watch the nightly news to see how messed up the people of this earth have become. We keep putting ourselves in danger of annihilation. Across the continents, we have nuclear missiles pointed at each other and hopefully, no one accidentally sets one off. This would definitely throw a spanner into our Nuclear Détente arrangements that are negotiated worldwide. I mean, just one accidental nuclear explosion could ruin our day. We certainly need God to deliver us from ourselves.
      The Apostle Peter had made some bold statements about his love for Jesus. He boasted that he would die for the Lord, but as Jesus predicted, within hours, Peter had denied even knowing the Lord. Peter ran off in shame because of his cowardly behaviour. He needed protection from himself and only Jesus the forgiving Lord could restore the emotional and spiritual confidence Peter needed so he could repent and get back on the Lord’s agenda. The Lord did warn Peter that he would be tested and when he came through it, to help his brothers in the Lord. Luke 22:31 Simon, Simon, look out. Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.
      Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father praying and interceding for each one of us. He prays that we fulfill what we have been created for and that the resurrection power of Christ keeps us walking in His righteousness. Rom. 8:34b Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Hopefully, we have the sense to not walk into the world’s sludge and slurry that is off the path of the righteous. However, if we do miss the clear markings of the narrow road we are to travel on, we can count on the fact that God will protect us from ourselves and our foolish decisions. God has our eternal souls in His hands and will forgive us when we ask through faith in Christ.
      Praise the Lord for He is so good. May we all give thanks for all the times our God has come through for us. Amen!