Thursday, May 1, 2014

on guard

I remember when we first landed in Manila, back in 2009,
how startled I was at the profusion of security guards on duty in this country.


 Not only do they guard banks
and armored vehicles,
but just about every other place of commerce too.


Some are stern, as you'd expect,
but others are surprisingly friendly.
These two (below), guarding the entrance of a mall, 
were happy to have their photo taken!


Guards can be found at McDonalds,


on school campuses,


and at many store fronts and all malls.
Below the guard (left with the white gloves) checks our bags as we enter.


These men and women are a constant visual reminder to me to be on guard spiritually.  God's Word exhorts me to guard what has been committed to me (1  Tim 6:20), to be on guard against a grudging or contentious spirit (Phil 2:14), and against covetousness (Luke 12:15).   I'm to be on guard against falling back from God's grace (Hebrews 12:15), against false teaching (2 Peter 3:17) and against idols (1 John 5:21).


But, even more importantly, these guards remind me of God's faithful guardianship over His people!

He guards us from stumbling (Jude 1:24), He's put his angels in charge over us, to guard us (Luke 4:10), and His peace, which is beyond our understanding, will guard our hearts and minds (Phil 4:7).  He is faithful, and will guard us from the evil one (2 Thess 3:3), guarding until that day what we have committed to Him (2 Tim 1:12).

Michael poses with J, a local guard and friend!
With all these guards around the city, I feel pretty secure, 
unworried about my personal safety.  
They're watching out for me and others.

But they can't hold a candle to God's faithful guardianship.  
We rest safe in the hollow of His hand.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord
“My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.
Psalm 91:1-2

4 comments:

Rosalie said...

Thanks for sharing this. Safety is one of the most basic of human needs. I love that God is our fortress. I love this verse too, "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23 Love you all and excited to see you!

Kay H said...

LOVE this article, Us5!! And love that Energizer Rabbit (can't call M a bunny!). :)

Anonymous said...

They all look so neat, clean and well pressed. But that is a lot of guards! The police budget must be out of sight.
Hank

us5 said...

actually, Hank, they are all privately employed. the cost of labor is so low here, and it provides many with a job!