As church leaders, we want to promise safety to people in the name of the Lord but we know that bad things sometimes happen to “good” people. We live in a fallen world. Just read through Scripture and you’ll find many accounts of God’s people suffering as they experienced hardships, even persecution, because of His Name.
Look at the unimaginable loss, pain, and suffering Job experienced even though God Himself described him as “blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil” (Job. 1:8). From the start, Job chose to praise the name of the Lord despite all the pain and loss. He said, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised” (Job 1:21).
As is common to our human condition, Job wanted answers to the “why” question. He didn’t understand. God never told Job why He allowed so much trouble into his life but we do know that in the end, Job had an ever greater appreciation and more intimate trust in the Lord. He came out on the other end saying, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you” (Job 42:5).
The Promise of Safety in the Name of the Lord
We can’t deny promises in the Word to provide safety in the name of the Lord. Here’s just one:
The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Prov. 18:10)
Sometimes it’s hard to reconcile all that is happening in light of this promise but because He is God and we are not, we can trust in the Name of the Lord to indeed work all for the good (Rom. 8:28). Our definition of “good” may not be how He defines it, yet we can trust Him because …
- His name is eternal, enduring forever (Ps. 135:13) so He sees the big picture which we don’t. Therefore, we can defer to Him, saying not my will but your will.
- His name is holy (Ps. 33:21) so He will right all the wrongs in His time. Therefore, we can trust in Him.
- His name is awesome and great (Ps. 99:3) so He is able to help us (Ps. 124:8). Therefore, we can find the strength for whatever we must face or for whatever we must do (Phil. 4:13).
- His name is the Lord (Ps. 83:18) so He is sovereign over all with nothing escaping His notice or ability to work together for eternal good (Rom. 8:28). Therefore, we can rest in Him as we wait.
- His name is good (Ps. 52:9) so He will always be faithful even when we’re faithless (2 Tim. 2:13). Therefore, we can count on Him to be there for us even when we struggle or doubt.
- His name is near (Ps. 75:1) so He is always present and available. Therefore, we can call on His name at any time and find peace (Phil. 4:6-7).
Church leaders, we can’t promise that God will always protect His people from physical harm or loss. But, we can point them to the kind of safety we truly need, that He will most certainly provide — that which affects our soul (Lk. 12:4-7). That’s the kind of safety that provides perspective and peace no matter what we face.
Pray similar to Psalm 86:11 for yourself and all the people you lead:
Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. (Ps. 86:11)
For More on These Topics, Go To:
All Posts about Safety Issues:
- Safety Because Love Always Protects
- Safety Coordinated by a Church Security Team
- Safety Takes Everybody Doing Their Part
- Safety Because of the Great Commission
- Church Safety: WWJD?
- Integrity Breaks in Church Safety
- Focus of Church Safety
- Perspective in Church Safety
- Dangerous Gospel?
- Scripture Useful for Church Safety?
- Biblical Principles for Dealing with Safety Issues
- Power of Grace in Church Safety
- Power of Grace for Preventing Problems
- Power of Grace for Coping
- Power of Grace Enables Godly Responses
- Safety in the Name of the Lord?
- Don’t Underestimate the Power of Prayer in Safety
- The Spirit in the Midst of Church Safety?
- Church Safety as a Ministry Using Spiritual Gifts?
- The Real Enemy of Church Safety
- God Has a Bigger Picture When Bad Things Happen
- Leaders’ Roles Dictate How They Handle Church Safety
- Qualities Leaders Need in Church Safety Efforts
Thanks for the good word and God bless
“Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.” (Ps. 34:3)