3:324 – What Is Your Safety Net?

#faithbites #faithjourney safety

Setting

I was sitting in a meeting today listening to the status of hospitals and COVID-19. It was scary to learn that many hospitals are out of beds and the situation is growing worse. What I didn’t know, is that some hospitals serve as safety nets for others. Meaning if their beds are filled up, they can refer a patient to another hospital for care and treatment.

This got me thinking about what is my safety net? One is having an emergency fund to help with unexplained expenses. Thank you, Dave Ramsey. But that can just help with my family’s material needs. What happens when everything seems to be going downhill? When it’s not about money or hospitals or anything, but just about how you are feeling. When your life doesn’t seem to have direction what is your safety net? Who has me, no matter what?

The only answer I have is Jesus. He is my rock, my redeemer, my purpose. God wouldn’t have created us if he didn’t have a purpose for each and every one of us. When all else fails, Jesus is the answer.

Scripture

• Deuteronomy 33:12 – About Benjamin, he said: “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.”
• Psalm 27:1 – The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
• Isaiah 58:8-9 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. ⁹ Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;  you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

Reflection

Jesus is on our side. God is before us, behind us, and around us. No matter what, his love rests on us. Having a safety net in God is the ultimate rock and foundation. He has us and as we see in Isaiah will heal us, and guard us through all things. God is listening to us when we call for help.

Part of having a safety net is knowing when to use it and how. With my emergency fund, I wonder when to tap into it and when not. With hospitals, they wonder when to send the patients to another hospital. The wonderful thing about God is we don’t have to decide when to use him. He is there all the time and unlike money or hospital beds, he is a limitless resource. We just need to tap into it. Prayer is free, God’s love is free, and he will help no matter what we need. That’s a great safety net to have.

As you go out, don’t be afraid. Know that God is good and he has your back no matter what happens. He is there for us for ever.

Challenge

Do you have your safety net in place? How do you access it? Is God providing for you? Reach out to a friend and share how God is protecting you and how he has your back. He is there with you, just ask!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we pray for our health care providers and first responders. Let them have the resources needed to be a safety net for our community. Lord, be our safety net. Remind us that you are always here for us no matter what. You are our rock, our redeemer, and our foundation. Help us get beyond our pride so we can tap into all the love and support that you provide. We love you and give you all the glory. Amen.