Proverbs 21:31

Do you lock your doors at night? Do you have a security system? Do you have protection in your nightstand? Have you registered your phone number and address with the police? Are you a light sleeper? Your safety is still dependent on the LORD. For if He does not protect you, there are no means you can take to truly preserve your safety and security.

Do you know how to trust the LORD for safety? Read on, and cast yourself on the LORD. He will deliver those who put their trust in Him, even if they approach a mighty giant with only a sling and a smooth stone, even if an army were to encircle them. Learn to balance human means and the LORD’s help on the side of faith. Learn wisdom today.

The previous proverb taught there is no success against God (Pr 21:30); this one teaches there is no success without God. Give the LORD the glory, and put all your trust in Him. He can and will deliver you from every conceivable danger or enemy, whether in the day or the night, whether it is a threat you can see or not. Read Psalm 91 and take courage.

David wrote in another place, “Except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep” (Ps 127:1-2). Excessive or extreme efforts to protect yourself are vain. Trust the LORD, and go to sleep. How did David go to sleep? “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety” (Ps 4:8).

The LORD expects you to use reasonable means to protect yourself, but He will do the rest. If you go beyond reasonable means, then you are trusting yourself and your means, rather than trusting Him. Your degree of safety has just dropped! Look out, lest He send a thief and robber this very night to prove that you need to trust Him. You should take ordinary precautions, cast your worries upon Him, and go to sleep peacefully and safely.

Kings prepared horses for battle, because God created the horse to be a valuable weapon in war (Job 39:19-25). Their great speed, strength, and courage added greatly to an army’s ability in the field, prior to the invention of planes, tanks, and other mechanized weapons. Chariots drawn by horses were also used often (I Kings 4:26; 10:26). An army with a cavalry and/or chariot division was considered to be far superior to mere infantry.

But God wants you to know that regardless of your efforts to protect you or your family, you are actually dependent on Him for your safety. Your trust in the LORD is more important than anything else, even though He expects you to take ordinary precautions in this matter of safety and all other matters. He wants you to believe He will protect you.

The wicked Ahab, having been told the LORD would kill him that day, went into battle disguised to prove the LORD wrong. But a chance arrow, shot with no particular target in mind, found a slight seam in his armor and killed him (I Kgs 22:30-38). Trust the Lord, and He will protect you. Reject the Lord to trust your own efforts, and He will judge you.

The Lord Protector of England, Oliver Cromwell, who led one of the most successful armies in the history of England, is said to have exhorted his troops with these words, just prior to a battle against a numerically superior foe: “Put your trust in the Lord – and keep your powder dry!” Exactly! In his words, faith and prudence are rightly combined.

To the degree you trust the horse (or any other natural means of protection), you lose God’s blessing on your efforts. Put your trust in the LORD, and minimize your confidence in natural means as far as you can. Many are the Scriptures demeaning the horses and chariots of those not trusting the LORD (Deut 17:16; II Chron 16:7-12; Ps 147:10; Eccl 9:11; Is 30:1-7,15-17; 31:1; 36:6-10; Jer 17:5; Ezek 17:15-19; Amos 5:4-8).

Follow David, who wrote, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God” (Ps 20:7). And, “There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy” (Ps 33:16-18).

Learn the life-saving wisdom taught by David to only do your reasonable best in any matter and to trust God to take care of the rest (Ps 127:1-2). This applies to safety and any other endeavor in your life. What are you afraid of? Turn it over to the Lord after reasonable effort and go to bed with your confidence in God. If you keep your mind settled on Jehovah God and His ability, He will give you perfect peace (Is 26:3-4).

The great day of battle is coming, reader. The day comes in which you will be stripped naked of all human supports before the devouring eyes and holy justice of the Blessed and Only Potentate. In that day, make sure your confidence is only in the Lord Jesus Christ. Look not to your faith or believing. Make no claim of your good works done for Him. Do not offer mere words about Him. Beg and trust Him for pure mercy. You shall be saved with an everlasting salvation, for SALVATION IS OF THE LORD (Jonah 2:9).