God's Proactive Protection

Do you ever feel trapped? Like no matter what you do, it's as though invisible nets are tightening around your feet? Fear. Temptation. Regret. It seems impossible to break free. Augustine of Hippo knew the transformative power of God's deep friendship. For years he chased after pleasure, ambition, philosophy, yet nothing satisfied. His life was marked by restlessness and despair. Then, through a deep encounter with Christ, his eyes were opened to the majesty of God's truth. He went from slavery to sin to one of the greatest theologians in church history. His Confessions are the raw story of a man utterly transformed by intimacy with God.  Psalm 25:14-15 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. (NRSV) Yesterday we saw how verse 14 speaks of God drawing those who revere Him into His inner circle, sharing the secrets of His unbreakable promises. That's why the writer continues on confidently with his eyes on the Lord, knowing that God Himself will carry him to safety through every snare and trial. And it's because God reveals His heart and His promises to those who honour Him that we can be certain that even when the nets of life tighten, God Himself will step in and set us free. What a promise! Friend, through Jesus, that's our reality. He's welcomed us into God's friendship, revealing the unshakable promise of His grace through the cross. So when we walk in reverence and obedience, our eyes fixed on Him, we can experience firsthand the freedom of God's proactive protection, one that only He can bring. That's His Word. Fresh … for you … today.