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