Safety

Being free from danger or harm. God promises to keep his people from all lasting spiritual and physical danger; he requires, however, that his people act responsibly.

God promises safety

To his people

Deuteronomy 12:10 See also Deuteronomy 33:12, Deuteronomy 33:26–29; Psalm 48:8; Jeremiah 32:37–38; Zechariah 14:11; Romans 8:31

When you cross the Jordan and live in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and He gives you rest from all the enemies around you and you dwell securely,

To those who trust in him

Psalm 91:9–10 See also Job 11:13–19; Psalm 37:3; Proverbs 18:10, Proverbs 29:25

Because you have made the LORD your dwelling— my refuge, the Most High— no evil will befall you, no plague will approach your tent.

To those who obey him

Leviticus 25:18–19 See also Leviticus 26:5; Proverbs 1:33, Proverbs 3:21–26, Proverbs 28:26

You are to keep My statutes and carefully observe My judgments, so that you may dwell securely in the land. Then the land will yield its fruit, so that you can eat your fill and dwell in safety in the land.

To those in need

Job 5:11, Job 5:15; Isaiah 14:30

But not to the wicked

Job 5:4; Proverbs 28:18; Jeremiah 12:12

Safety from enemies

Hebrews 13:6 See also Joshua 10:21; Psalm 3:5–6, Psalm 12:7, Psalm 31:20, Psalm 78:53; Ezekiel 28:26; Revelation 3:10

So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Safety from dangers

Isaiah 43:2 See also Psalm 23:4; Ezekiel 34:25, Ezekiel 34:28

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Spiritual safety

1 John 5:18 See also Romans 8:35–39; 2 Timothy 4:18; Revelation 2:11

We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him.

Safety in God alone

Psalm 4:8 See also Zechariah 8:10

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Safety in Jesus Christ

John 17:12 See also Jeremiah 23:5–6 parallel Jeremiah 33:15–16; John 10:11–15, John 10:28–30

While I was with them, I protected and preserved them by Your name, the name You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.

Angels providing safety

Matthew 4:6 parallel Luke 4:10–11 See also Genesis 19:16, Genesis 48:15–16; Exodus 23:20; Psalm 91:11–12; Daniel 3:28, Daniel 6:22; Acts 5:19, Acts 12:11; Revelation 7:2–3

“If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning You, and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’”

Human responsibility for safety

Personal

Proverbs 11:15; Jeremiah 4:6, Jeremiah 6:1; Matthew 24:15–16 parallels Mark 13:14, Luke 21:20–21; Acts 2:40, Acts 27:44

Family

Genesis 4:9, Genesis 43:9, Genesis 44:32; Matthew 2:13

Friends

1 Samuel 20:12–13, 1 Samuel 22:22–23

Neighbours

Exodus 22:5–15

Officials

Nehemiah 2:7; Acts 23:24

Kings

1 Kings 4:25; 2 Chronicles 15:5, 2 Chronicles 15:15; Proverbs 20:28

Pastors

Hebrews 13:17 See also John 10:11–15; Acts 20:28; Philippians 3:1

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Concern for safety

David for Absalom

2 Samuel 18:29, 2 Samuel 18:32

Mephibosheth for David

2 Samuel 19:24, 2 Samuel 19:30

Father for son

Luke 15:27

Prayers for safety

Psalm 16:1 See also Exodus 33:15; Ezra 8:21–23; Job 30:15, Job 30:20; Psalm 17:8–9, Psalm 19:13, Psalm 27:4–5, Psalm 119:29, Psalm 140:1–4, Psalm 141:8–10; Matthew 6:13

A Miktam of David. Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge.

Possible dangers inherent in safety

False security

1 Thessalonians 5:3 See also Deuteronomy 29:19; 1 Kings 22:27–28 parallel 2 Chronicles 18:26–27; Job 21:9, Job 21:16–18; Ezekiel 39:6; Daniel 8:25; Obadiah 1:3–4; Zephaniah 2:15

While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Complacency

Proverbs 1:32; Luke 12:16–21

Wickedness

Jeremiah 7:9–10; Ezekiel 39:26

Perfect safety in God's kingdom

Isaiah 11:6–10 See also Isaiah 2:4, Isaiah 65:25; Hosea 2:18; Micah 4:3–4; Revelation 7:16; Isaiah 49:10

The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat; the calf and young lion and fatling will be together, and a little child will lead them. The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the sea is full of water. On that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will seek Him, and His place of rest will be glorious.