We live in dangerous days. Terrorist alert levels are broadcast on the news like colored pollen-count charts.

I travel fairly often, and sometimes in countries that are ravaged by war, a haven for terrorists, or hostile towards Christians. Is that safe? That question has indeed crossed my mind. And as I have mulled over and prayed about that, I’ve come up with the following thoughts. Although your circumstances may differ from mine, I think the same principles of God’s plan and protection apply to all who love and follow Jesus.

God’s presence is with me, His Spirit is in me, His anointing is on me, and His angels surround me. I am empowered by His Spirit, enraptured with his goodness, enamored with His love, enabled by His grace, encouraged by His Word, enthused by His calling, and encapsulated in His protection. Not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the will of my Heavenly Father. Jesus didn’t die for sparrows, but He did die for me. So, should I worry?

The number of my days was written in God’s book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16). I cannot live one day more or one day less than what is penned in that divine ink. If God wants me to live I cannot die, and if He wants me to die I cannot live. My days are determined and my death is destined according to the perfect plan of the Sovereign Lord of time and eternity. I will live until He is finished with me, die when He is done with me, breathe until I complete the work He has given me to do, and then see Him face to face when I die. Apart from the will of God, bullets cannot stop me, planes cannot drop me, knives cannot cut me, and all the host of Hell combined cannot touch me. I am covered with Christ’s blood, clothed in His righteousness, controlled by His Spirit, contented in His will, connected to Him constantly, and complete in Him. So, should I worry?

The question is not, “Will we die,” but “Will we obey and trust the Lord while we live?” Are we safe? We are eternally safe if we follow Jesus and live in obedience to His Word and will. Death is merely the door to eternal life for the Christian. So, should I worry about going to dangerous parts of the world? Should we worry about terrorists, nuclear war, or global chaos? Not if our confidence is in the One who is sovereign over all heaven and earth, because He loves His own children more than you and I could ever dream of loving ours. We may not know what tomorrow will hold, but we do know who will sovereignly hold tomorrow.

The Bible tells the story of life, and the war between good and evil on earth from beginning to end. If you are a Christian, there is no need to worry. I know; I’ve read the end of the book. We win.

© Chip Kirk