In our world today the search for security can take many forms. While we in America often take the security of our basic needs for things such as food, clothing, and shelter for granted, many in the third world feel very insecure in these areas. In relationships, children that live in loving homes feel much more secure than those children that come from broken families. And having a large bank account often provides a strong sense of financial security.
I, however, contend that real security is still possible even if the provision of our basic necessities falls short, if our home life is not great, and if our bank accounts are running on empty. And the key does not lie in ourselves or our possessions but in our relationship with Jesus. Elisabeth Elliot provides great insight here: “Where does your security lie? Is God your refuge, your hiding place, your stronghold, your shepherd, your counselor, your friend, your redeemer, your saviour, your guide? If He is, you don’t need to search any further for security.”1
You see worldly security can be very fleeting. A major illness can wipe out even a very large bank balance, Or a hurricane and destroy that beautiful house you own. And even the death of a spouse can cause the security you placed in your lifelong partner to crumble. But when Jesus is the rock and anchor of your faith and life, even these tragic situations can’t steal the security we can have in Christ. For the Scriptures are clear that Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. Not only that, but Jesus can supply peace during the storms of life, joy in suffering, and one other element of security that no earthly thing, possession, or person can ever provide us with and that is eternal security.
For we know we all must face death and without a rock solid relationship with Christ, and the certain knowledge that eternal life awaits us, the moment we breathe our last breath here on earth, everything we thought would give us security will forever vanish. My friends God promises all Christians eternal life and I concur with the great English hymn writer, Isaac Watts who once said: “I believe the promises of God enough to venture an eternity on them.”2
And while I don’t know what specific promises Watts was referring to, I know for myself that the one set of verses that seals the deal for me and gives me certainty about my eternal security is (Romans 8:38-39): “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Only Jesus can provide us with peace, joy, and rich meaning in life, regardless of the difficult trials that come our way. And in addition, Christ promises us that we can have the certainty of knowing that we will spend eternity, safe and secure, in His presence.