Editorial February 23, 1918 Issue

Consecration and Protection

Annie M. Knott

The student of Christian Science does not need to be told that divine protection is the most wonderful fact upon which we can lay hold in our study of the Scriptures. All Christian people would of course admit this, but so far as we can judge from what is daily heard around us they do not apply it in the practical way which Christian Scientists do. We however need to remember that consecration on our part is what relates us most truly to the divine protection. Almost instinctively the Christian Scientist turns to the promises found in the Bible when danger of any kind seems to threaten either himself or those dear to him, and the declarations of spiritual law found throughout the Scriptures and made luminous by Mrs. Eddy's teachings become his defensive and offensive weapons, whatever be the occasion for their use.

In the Old Testament the ninety-first psalm stands out with great distinctness; and as we read it, we almost wonder at the marvelous understanding of spiritual law disclosed in all its statements. At the present hour, when thought turns lovingly to the men who are so whole-heartedly giving themselves to the high task of establishing justice and mercy in the earth, we find in almost every verse of this psalm a promise of protection which specially applies to these men. First of all, there is the "secret place of the most High," which no invader can ever enter, the refuge and the fortress of those who put their trust in God, not as an expression of merely formal religion, but because of their deep conviction that God is the source of all right, of all justice, and that He unceasingly defends those who are allied with divine Principle in the high and holy effort to establish right with all it implies the world over. The weapons of the enemy are mentioned, the "terror by night" and the destruction at noonday, but there is nothing uncertain about the promise which immediately follows. It is this: "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee." Here we must not forget that a fine discrimination follows this statement of protection, which implies consecration on the part of him who would be safe in time of danger, and it assures us that no evil shall befall the one who has made God his refuge.

We are not told that those who are fearlessly serving God and humanity are to be spared the most trying experiences which can come to mankind. In this psalm their enemies are typified by the lion, the adder, and the dragon, but these are declared to be powerless because God's angels are with His own continually to prove the ever presence and omnipotence of good. Here we may recall the definition of angels given on page 581 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," namely, "God's thoughts passing to man; spiritual intuitions, pure and perfect; the inspiration of goodness, purity, and immortality, counteracting all evil, sensuality, and mortality." Divine Love promises to be with man in trouble, and to deliver him; and we cannot cling too closely to the closing words of the psalm, "With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Consecration and Protection

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access