Article November 28, 1908 Issue

DIVINE PROTECTION

WILLIAM CAPELL

The Bible contains numerous accounts which furnish proof of the availability of God's protecting power. One familiar with the Scriptures need only recall the names of the truly great Biblical characters, and he will find that he has associated with many of them wonderful deliverances from seemingly unescapable dangers. The following will serve to illustrate this statement: Moses at the Red Sea; Elisha at Dothan, surrounded by the Syrians; Daniel, safe in the lions' den; surrounded Meshach, and Abednego, unharmed in the fiery furnace; Peter, rescued from the prison; Paul, unhurt by the viper.

Jesus more than once frustrated the sinister designs of his enemies by availing himself of protection which was surely nothing less than divine. One such instance is recorded in the fourth chapter of Luke's Gospel. The reading by Jesus of the wonderful prophecy of Isaiah; the application of the passage to himself; the sarcastic remarks of his hearers; the pointed rebukes of Jesus, were the successive acts in this dramatic scene which reached its climax in an attempt to kill Jesus: "And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way." Even in the garden of Gethsemane, confronted by the traitorous disciple and "a great multitude with swords and staves," Jesus realized his God-given ability to protect himself. For, rebuking Peter's human method of defense, the Master said, "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?"

The 91st Psalm is a beautiful benediction, declaring the safety of him who "dwelleth in the secret place of the most High." Jesus, addressing the seventy who had joyfully returned to tell him of their successful application of his teachings, gave to them this added blessing, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

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