“Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain” (Ps. 127:1b). So it is with trying to protect ourselves. We can make all the preparations we want, but unless you in your great power actually protect, there is not much that we can do.

Jericho comes to mind: high and thick double walls and a powerful army within, but against the Lord there was no defense as He caused the walls to fall, the army to be defeated and the city to be destroyed. Sodom and Gomorrah, Babylon and Tyre, Samaria and Jerusalem—at the right time your just judgment fell on each and there was nothing that any person could do to prevent the destruction of these cities. Without your care we are totally vulnerable. With your care we can live in your security by faith, in trust, with thanksgiving.

You, O Lord God—Triune, Pure and Powerful—are worthy of praise, honor and glory. Your Love, your Wisdom, your Grace are high, mighty, good and everlasting. Your character is shining in holiness, gleaming in goodness, sparkling in graciousness, startling in gloriousness, overwhelming in expansiveness. No matter what happens in my life, you, O Lord God, are worthy of worship, honor, praise and obedience.

Prayer: “May you be glorified in my life today, Lord Jesus, as I trust in you with praise and obedience. Amen.”