Where Does Your Security Lie?

Recently I was given fresh insight into the significance of the prophecy Jesus made that not one stone of the temple in Jerusalem would be left on top of another, and that they would all be thrown down (Matthew 24:2). For many of the Jews of that time their security lay in the magnificence, the existence, and the presence of the Temple. There had been a massive building program to redesign and refurbish it, but this had been led by Herod for selfish reasons, not for God’s glory, or under His instruction. I’ve seen people nowadays whose security is also in their involvement with the church building. Then there are others whose security lies in their regular attendance at church, or worship in a certain kind of way.

Out there in the world security for people may lie in many other places, often in material or academic success. Perhaps security for us is being accepted by a certain group of people, or success in ministry, or in our health and well-being.

I was challenged to think about where my security lies. I have to confess that there’s a security in having a job, a home where the mortgage is paid off and where there’s food in the fridge and the freezer. I like to know the house is clean and tidy, and the children are qualified and following their careers. However, I like to think that I see these things increasingly as God’s blessing, and not my security.

What do we do when the things where our security lies are taken away? Do we run to ungodly comforts, those little addictions?

There are many examples in the bible of what people did when their security wobbled or failed. Not all are good, but in many of the psalms David pours out his anxieties and woes when he’s feeling insecure, and then he turns his thoughts back to what God has done for him in the past. He reminds himself of God’s unfailing love and mercy, faithfulness and blessing.

What better security could we possibly have than the promise in today’s passage (1 Peter 1:3-7)? We have an inheritance that can never perish spoil or fade, kept in heaven for us. No one can take that away from you, no matter what happens.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for the inheritance that we have in Jesus that can never perish, spoil or fade. Lord, if our security is in anything else please reveal it by Your Holy Spirit and enable us to let go of it, and rest only in what Jesus has accomplished for us. Amen.