Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

Psalm 33:17 A horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

Upon the occasion of a break in to our offices and the theft of $20 in cash and a few minor items, we had a meeting of our staff team to share with them what we knew, establish different procedures and precautions, and to remind them of our real safety source.

An interesting dynamic found throughout Scripture is echoed in these verses. God has given us work to do and a stewardship to fulfill, yet in the end He desires us to look to Him for power, strength, guidance, provision, and security. The danger for us is to get all caught up in the work we are doing and the responsibility we are given to fulfill and then to begin thinking it is our abilities and strength that is doing the work. Colossians 1:29 illustrates this dynamic for us. We find in verse 28 that we are given the a task to perform, to teach and preach and warn all men for the purpose of bringing them to “perfection.” We are then told in verse 29 to work hard at accomplishing that task, yet we are to strive according (by the means of) to His mighty working in, around and through me.

Colossians 1:28–29 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

In the matter of safety we also find this dynamic, there is and always will be a tension between protecting ourselves and trusting God to protect us. It is by faith we put our ultimate trust in God, for His protection. The believer must follow good stewardship principles in protecting himself, those he is responsible for, and the material items placed in his care (prepare his horse for battle), but in the end he must realize that the only real security in this world rests in the protection of God (safety is of the Lord). By faith we resolve the tension between doing what we can as a wise steward to protect ourselves, and being able to lie down at night and peacefully leave ourselves in God’s hands.

As believers we must always look for a spiritual solution to a physical challenge. It is not that we ignore the physical side of a challenge, but that is not all there is too it. There is a spiritual side to every event in the believer’s life. Whether the event is perceived as good or bad, we are still supposed to thank the Lord for “all things” and the only way we can do that is to view the challenge from a spiritual perspective. How can we do this?

Looking for a spiritual solution to a physical challenge by doing the following:

1. Do not worry, but pray for safety and God’s protection.
   Philippians 4:6–7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
2. Trust in the Lord to settle accounts.
   Proverbs 22:23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
   (Also 1 Samuel.15:2 and Romans 12:19)
3. Exercise prudent (wise) preparation and be good stewards of God’s material and items that He has placed in your care. Don’t be careless or neglectful with this great responsibility.
   Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4. Realize that it is literally impossible to protect your self from all danger and outside threats, no matter how strong or wealthy you are.
   Psalm 33:16 There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
5. Remember real safety is in God’s hands, not ours.
   Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
6. Use events such as this break in and theft as reminders of the eternal nature of our ministry and lives, and of where our real wealth is.
   Matthew 6:19–21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

 Psalm 33:16–22 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; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

Psalm 62:5–8 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 

Proverbs 21:30–31 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

Proverbs 24:5–6 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Proverbs 18:10–11 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

Proverbs 29:25–26 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.

Psalm 91 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 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. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.