Longing for Safety

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Today’s Reading: John 10:1-18

Just above the physiological need for survival, Maslow places the need for safety.  I know that at this moment, millions of humans are praying for safety. I’m not talking about our American protection-from-hurt-feelings kind of safety. I’m talking about children being trafficked, women being abused, slaves being trapped, and people being murdered. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

As a child, my mom was always close, and my dad was my superhero. Mom is nurturing, and Dad is protective. I felt secure, and I never feared for my safety. Still, though, I knew my parents couldn’t control every variable. I also knew some threats were spiritual. God chose to gift me with a sense of the supernatural, even as a child. So I prayed. They were simple prayers, but I was earnest and full of faith. 

I’ve always been so moved by the way God cared for Hagar and Ishmael. He saw their distress, protected them, provided for them, and saved their lives. God had not chosen the lineage of Hagar and Ishmael to bring about His salvation plan, but that did not prevent Him from caring for them. 

So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, "You are a God of seeing," for she said, "Truly here I have seen Him who looks after me." (Genesis 16:13 NIV)

 Our world is an increasingly scary place. Most studies I could find put the current rate of anxiety around 20%. That means if you think of four other people, the odds are that one of your group of five is struggling with some kind of anxiety. We are a fearful population. Whether it’s a broken home, a distrust of government, a lack of resources, or a rise in crime, we do not feel safe.

Hagar called Him El Roi, the God who sees. As we long for safety, He longs for us to run to His strong arms for protection. We can feel secure in Him because we know He is a good Father. Even when we don’t understand His plans, we can trust His character. Scripture reminds us so many times of the safety of dwelling in His care.

“The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10 NIV)

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8 NIV)

“For in the day of trouble, he will keep me safe in the shelter of his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tent; he will set me high upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:5 NIV)

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.” (Psalm 91:1-2, 4-5 NIV)

Some of you may be asking why God seems to neglect the safety of some. We may be wondering why He allows, for example, the death of innocent children or Christian persecution. I wish I had more time to discuss this very common objection, but I might be able to offer just one thought. Remember again that God is outside our construct. He is not bound by time and space the way we are, and He sees beyond what we see. We see sin in the world because humans have free will. A creation without free will would not be good, and our ultimate safety is found in the restoration of things to their original order. 

Jesus is a good shepherd who not only cares for the safety of His sheep, but laid down His life for their eternal protection. This shepherd is tender to His flock, but a fierce defender against foes. Battles are raging all around us that we cannot see with our eyes, but to which we can testify in our spirit. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Our Shepherd has already defeated him. So, Christian, do not fear.

“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.” 

(Psalm 118:6-7 NIV)