Our Eternal Safety and Security in Christ

July 4, 2021, will go down as the most memorable Independence Day of my 56-plus years.

Not because of an amazing fireworks show or fun celebration with family and friends (although we did get to enjoy time with family).

But because of what happened on my morning walk with my beagle, Joe.

Around 8 a.m., just like every other day, I put on his red harness and we headed out the south gate of our backyard.

The grass was wet from an early shower, and he did his regular dog shake as soon as we got to the the paved street.

I was looking forward to our brisk walk on this cool, quiet morning.

Unfortunately, it turned out to be anything but enjoyable.

About two minutes into our walk, all of a sudden, a German shepherd came charging at us from out of nowhere.

All I could think about was protecting my 40-pound dog from this 100-pound predator.

And Joe wasn’t helping at all. He was so riled up, he forgot his size.

I started screaming at the dog and for help, hoping someone would hear me from inside their home and come to our aid.

But that didn’t happen.

And to make matters worse, Joe wriggled out of his harness.

I grabbed him and wrapped my legs around him, trying to get his harness back on—all the while screaming at the dog to get away from us.

He would turn tail for a brief second, then he would come right back at us as soon as I stopped screaming.

After I got Joe’s harness back on, I stood up, holding on tightly to him, and headed for our alley.

I knew that would be the quickest way to safety.

And that dog followed us all the way to the gate.

As soon as Joe and I were safe inside our backyard, I collapsed into one of our wet plastic lawn chairs, trying to catch my breath.

I’m not sure if my heart has ever pounded that hard.

As soon as I regained my composure where I could speak, I walked into our house and told Steven what happened.

Then I called the police department and told them what happened so they could get Animal Control on the scene.

My body was reeling from the adrenaline rush and my throat was raw from screaming, so I decided to walk around our neighborhood in the opposite direction of the incident.

I noticed two different city police cars and Animal Control scouring the neighborhood for our attacker and prayed that God would help them find him.

After walking awhile, I decided to head back in the direction of our house.

Down the street, I could see both city policeman and the Animal Control lady corralling the dog into the cage on her vehicle.

Whew! Thank You, Jesus!

After I got home, I started thinking about how, even as Christians, we aren’t guaranteed safety from all physical, mental, and emotional harm and how we can be blindsided by attacks from animals, other people, accidents, disease, and so on.

Jesus Himself told His disciples, “You will have suffering in this world” (John 16:33 HCSB).

But thankfully, He didn’t stop there. He said, “Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

What did He mean by that?

He was saying that, no matter what happens in the circumstances of those who believe in Him, they are eternally safe and secure inside the gate.

Through the cross and resurrection and our faith in Him, He is the Gate of our eternal safety and security (John 10:9; 14:6; Eph. 2:8–9).

We are forever wrapped in His eternal embrace, and someday, we are going to enjoy resurrection bodies like His on a New Earth where there will be no pain or sorrow (John 14:20; 1 Cor. 15:35–58; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1–4).

Isn’t that encouraging news for those who belong to Jesus!

I’m planning on taking Joe for his morning walk in an hour or so.

I am not going to let fear keep me from enjoying life, even in the midst of an uncertain world.

And I would like to encourage you to do the same thing.

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If you enjoyed this post, I invite you to check out all of my books and my video series based on my first devotional.