By He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1).
Driving to work this morning, I began to realize the lost sense of safety that Americans have experienced since 2001. That year the unthinkable happened as we were attacked on our own soil. Since then — particularly in 2020 and 2021 — we have seen various unthinkable events that have added to our sense of insecurity.
Unrest in our major cities has caused people to wonder if it will spread to smaller cities and rural towns. Some would ask, “Will there be a safe place to live?”
Then we have dealt with a virus that we do not understand. Businesses have suffered. Sporting events have been cancelled. In-person church services have been discouraged. At times, we have wondered if there is a safe place to avoid this menace. Yes, our sense of safety has been disturbed. However, there is a place of safety for those who will seek it.
Look on the back of a one dollar bill at these words: “In God we trust.” No matter what is transpiring around us, He is our place of safety. We can hide in the shadow of the Almighty. God makes this so plain to us in Psalm 91:5-7: “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.” This refers to our lives in the present, but we need to understand the implications for eternity.
You see, sometimes fear results from looking only at the present. The truth is, someday temporary will give way to permanence and time will give way to eternity. God is eternal! When we dwell in Him, we are safe today and forever.
So, we are not slaves to fear and apprehension. We have a hiding place; God is our place of safety.
Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.
Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter — Breanna.
Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.
by leaps and bounds 