Then the angel of God, who had been travelling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other; so neither went near the other all night long.

‘The safest place in all the world is in the will of God, and the safest protection in all the world is the name of God.’ Warren W. Wiersbe.

‘Safety comes in our nearness to God, not in our distance from our enemies.’ Dillon Burroughs

God’s protection is very real. The point is repeatedly made in a number of Bible stories. God can protect His own people from any threat, if He chooses to do so.

Of course, as the book of Job shows, God’s people can suffer profoundly in this world. But the devil cannot touch anyone without first going through God. The Lord is in ultimate control, and this understanding should undergird us with a deep sense of security.

‘Hide yourself in God, so when a man wants to find you he will have to go there first.’ Shannon L. Alder.

But it needs to be said that ultimate safety is to be found only in the Cross of Jesus:

‘In Jesus Christ on the Cross there is refuge; there is safety; there is shelter; and all the power of sin upon our track cannot reach us when we have taken shelter under the Cross that atones for our sins.’ A.C. Dixon.

Although in this world we are vulnerable to all manner of suffering, and we all have to die, nevertheless, in Jesus, we are safe from eternal harm.

PRAISE: ‘Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.