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

Both my doctor and hairdresser in the U.S. have often asked me if I feel safe living overseas. One had experienced a nail-biting safari and the other had hiked remote wilderness trails.

The group of retirees in my mother’s Bible study often wondered if she worried about me. I heard later that she had pointed them to a fatal collision and a drive by shooting within miles of where they were meeting.

What is safety and where do we find it? The year 2020 will be remembered for the world’s mutual albeit frantic search for security and protection. Wear a mask? Discover a vaccine? Stay home? Those are not evil pursuits by any means, and definitely not unique to this time in history. But they come with no guarantees.

A friend worked in a shelter for victims of domestic abuse in a Mexican border town known for drug dealing. North American teams often came from miles away to do volunteer work, and a few were known to call in advance inquiring about a safe time to come. The staff were not blind to the local violence. Walls with locked gates surrounded the property. Identities were protected. But, again, no guarantees. They believed with David that God alone is the source of safety.

In God’s Word, do we find accounts of his followers looking for or rejoicing in safety? Of course, but how often is it their main goal or focus? The faithful of Hebrews 11 are certainly not remembered for living danger and risk-free lives. We aren’t given details into their daily activities and what precautions they took, but we do know of their obedience, holy fear, sacrifices, and faith.

God has always offered wisdom to all, and we need it now as they did then to live wisely but not fearfully. As we lock our doors, shop in the day time, and boil our water, may these measures never be our strong tower. May we always remember where to run.

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10