God's Protection Has Always Been

Have you ever gone through a difficult or even devastating situation and, after it was over, looked back and thought, "Wow... that could have been so much worse."

Maybe at the time you didn't know the Lord. Maybe you chalked it up to "the universe" taking it easy on you. But I'm here to tell you that it wasn't the universe—it was the Creator of the universe. He has been protecting us and speaking to us long before we ever recognized His voice.

Have you ever said, "Something told me not to do that," or "Something told me to leave," or "I just knew that was going to happen"?

Maybe, because we didn't know Jesus at the time, we didn't realize that the "something" was actually Someone.

The One.

I strongly believe Jesus has been protecting me my entire life, and He still covers me today. The difference now is that I recognize my covering is the blood of Jesus. Now I know that the voice leading, warning, and comforting me is the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 46:3–4 gives us beautiful evidence that God has always been with us:

"Listen to me... you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

When I look back over my life, there have been countless times when I could have—and probably should have—lost my life. Getting jumped. Car accidents. Sexual assault. Selling drugs. Doing drugs. God was always there.

How many nights did I drink until I blacked out, only to wake up safely in my driveway without any idea how I got home? Thank God He saw me. He sees us and wants nothing more than access to our hearts.

One memory stands out to me.

I was standing on a street corner in Humboldt Park with some gangbangers I knew at the time, smoking a blunt. Across the street, a church was reenacting the crucifixion of Jesus. There were men on horses, and one man was carrying a cross.

As I watched, I suddenly began to cry. The guys I was standing with looked at me like I had lost my mind. But looking back now, I know Jesus was reaching for me even then.

There are so many moments like that. Moments that didn't seem significant at the time but, now that I know Him, I can clearly see the hand of God on my life—even while I was living a wild life.

My only response is gratitude.

I am so thankful that God saw me then, He sees me now, and He will never let me go.

Today, I encourage you to look back over your own life.

Think about all the moments when you could have—or maybe even should have—lost your life.

Think about the times that little voice told you to leave, to stop, to change direction, or not to do something. Then later you realized that decision protected you from harm.

God saw you then.

God sees you now.

And all He wants is access to your heart.

If you've never said "yes" to Jesus, maybe today is your day.

Maybe you're wondering, "What good would that do?"

I'd answer like this:

What's the worst that could happen?

Nothing. Your life doesn't change.

But what if it does?

What if you experience a peace you can't explain?

What if the weight you've been carrying no longer crushes you?

What if you finally discover the love you've been searching for your entire life?

I challenge you to give Jesus a chance.

A Prayer

Jesus,

Today I choose to give You full access to my heart.

I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You have always seen me, and I believe You desire what is best for me.

I place my life into Your hands. Heal every broken place in me. Forgive my sins. Lead me into the life You created me to live.

Reveal Yourself to me. Open my eyes to know You, hear Your voice, and follow You.

Thank You for loving me even before I knew You.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

If you prayed this prayer for the first time, or if you've recommitted your life to Jesus, EVEN IF YOU DIDN’T,  I'd love to hear from you. I'd be honored to encourage you, pray with you, and walk alongside you in your journey.

Just know this:

He has always loved you.

He has always been pursuing you.

And the reason I'm here writing this today is because I love you too.