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Have you ever had a bodyguard—someone who is by your side at all times to protect you and keep meddlesome people at bay? We’ve all seen pictures and videos of celebrities with an entourage of security people around them at all times. When I was in high school, two of my best friends were 6 feet, 4 inches tall. I was not a big kid, and at 5 feet, 7 inches, I often felt a sense of inferiority to other kids who were more statuesque than me, which at that time seemed to be everyone. Admittedly, I felt protected in the school hallways and around the school grounds if I kept myself firmly embedded between my lofty buddies at all times. I always joked and referred to them as my personal bodyguards.
Nearly 45 years later, I am still friends with my two very tall pals, but unfortunately, they are no longer able to provide me with 24/7 protection as I navigate my way through life and all of its ongoing challenges and gut-churning miss-adventures. For the past many months, I have been trying to find my way through a string of unfamiliar roads—a route lined with crater-sized potholes and situations that feel beyond my control. I won’t bore with the details, but let me say that through it all, I am learning to trust God as the strongest and most reliable bodyguard I could ever hope for.
In my life and during times of duress, I seek out Bible verses that shield me and provide much-needed strength and courage. Please allow me to share a few with you, not because you asked, but because it is my guess that whatever is going on in your life right now, you might also need a heavenly peptalk from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who never leaves our side, EVER!
“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. Be strong and of good courage.” (Joshua 1:5, 6 NKJV)
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV)
The other night, at roughly 4 in the morning, when I should have been sleeping, I was stewing about a recent situation that was causing me stress. I kept reciting this verse over and over again. “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (Exodus 14:14 NLT). Drifting between consciousness and sleep, three other words entered my thoughts, which I believe were directly from the Lord and a sound reminder that he has my back no matter what. “Just you watch.”
Intrigued, I repeated those words several more times until I finally drifted back to sleep.
Here's my point, dear friend. If you need a reliable bodyguard and a trustworthy buddy in your corner as you churn through the struggles of daily living, I would like to encourage you to give Jesus a try. He is always there—ready, willing, and able to pull you through anything and everything. I will leave you with one final slam-dunk Bible verse to seal the deal and to encourage your faith and heart!
“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” (Psalms 16:8 NLT)
Paul Smyth
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