There is much talk today about having ‘safe spaces’, whether they are hard shoulders or lay byes on motorways and roads, or bunkers to shelter from bombs, bullets and other belligerent assailants, or places where a person’s views and opinions cannot be challenged. Basically, a ‘safe space’ is designed as a place of protection, safety and security where someone can stay clear of danger, suffering and pain.
We are clearly living in a world fraught with dangers and disasters, which appear to be increasing in number and intensity. Christians, who know the Lord Jesus as their Good Shepherd, are not surprised or thrown into anxiety and fear when these things happen. For they believe the truth of what their Heavenly Father has warned us will take place before the Lord Jesus returns to this earth in great power and glory.
We have a number of good examples in God’s Word regarding ‘safe spaces’; here are just a couple:
Today, the account of ‘Noah’s Ark’ is treated as a children’s story, a fable, a narrative of fiction. But the Bible clearly portrays it as a true account of God’s action in the world He created which has meaning and substance for the days in which we are now living, giving those who believe, hope for the future. Jesus reminds us of what happened to Noah and his family when the world-wide flood struck the whole earth:
“As it was in the days of Noah … so it will be when Jesus returns … people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away”
But Noah and his family escaped the judgement because
God had put them in the ark, their ‘safe space’
We see from that example that God loves us so very much. He prepared a ‘safe space’ for Noah, his family and for all the animals to protect them from the coming judgement of the world-wide flood and if we walk in humble obedience to Him, as did Noah, then He will lead us to His ‘safe space’ for when troubles and disasters come. That promise is for this life and for eternity. What wonderful good news.
King David also knew and enjoyed the ‘safe space’ that the Lord provided for him, both now and for the future, writing in Psalm 23: “the Lord is my Shepherd … You prepare a table before me in thepresence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”
How and where can we find this ‘safe space’?
Christians, all those who have received Him as Lord and Saviour, know the safety and shelter that Jesus, our Good Shepherd provides as we walk in obedience. He voluntarily laid down His life, and was crucified on the cross in our place, to rescue us from the snares and shackles of our sin which brings eternal separation from His love and mercy. He died, but God the Father raised Him triumphantly victorious from the grave. He ascended to His home in heaven and promised that He will return, saying:
“I am going to prepare a place for you ~ and I will come again and take you to be with Me forever”
The Lord God Almighty said to His people Israel and to us today, “I have set before you life and death… therefore choose life … love the Lord your God and walk in His ways”
God tells us that: “we are to wait for His Son from heaven, Whom He raise from the dead – Jesus, Who rescues us from the coming wrath
“Look, He is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see Him … Amen”
That is how it will be when the Lord Jesus returns in power and glory.
Are you safe … for eternity?
Ron Brickman