Where Is The Safest Place To Be?
As we consider this question I know in the eyes of man there are several reasonable answers depending on our circumstances. In case of a rain storm while riding some would say “in a cager.” During the larger city rush hour traffic some would say “in a restaurant so while riding you don’t have to worry about the traffic.” During a hurricane in the south some would say “up north.” During a tornado some would say “in the bathtub or in the basement.”
I heard a wonderful message by Dr. David Lattimer regarding this very question but he asked a couple other questions that need to be considered as well. What’s the worst place to be? Where do you want your focus to be? What does Heaven look like? Most of us have probably thought about one of these questions someplace along our life’s journey.
As we live our lives it is very important for us to consider the answer to some of these questions. Why, one might ask? The answer would be, because it will impact your eternity!
Let’s first consider the question, What’s the worst place to be? In doing so let’s look at Psalm 16:2, “I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.”” NASB. We need to look at the second part of the verse which states, “I have no good besides You.” In and of ourselves, there is no good in us. Outside of God we may have a form of righteousness or good actions, but outside of God being in us we have no good in us. The worst place to be is away or separated from God.
The next question, Where do you want your focus to be? Oh, I can just hear some of the answers on this one. Let’s look at verse 8 of Psalms 16, “I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” NASB. Looking at the first part of this verse it clearly states, “I have set the LORD continually before me;” meaning the Psalmist, David, is putting God in front of himself or his focus is on the Lord. We cannot go wrong when we put our focus on Him. Does that mean everything will be hunky-dory? Absolutely not. Look at David who lived as a Sheppard and anointed King before Saul had died. David had to take steps to protect his life several times but he still kept his focus on the Lord.
What about, What does Heaven look like? Verse 11 of Psalms 16, “You will make known to me the path of life; In your presence is fullness of joy; In your right hand there are pleasures forever.” NASB. As you read this I trust you understand I am not asking about the streets of gold with many mansions but what we are going to experience there. Look at the second part, “In your presence is fullness of joy;” meaning just to be in His presence we will experience joy beyond description; joy to it’s fullness. Wow, I can hardly wait.
What about the initial question, Where is the safest place to be? Verse 1 of Psalms 16 explains, “Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You.” NASB. To answer this question let’s look at “for I take refuge in You.” Refuge in God – there is no safer place to be. To have a refuge in God we must be close to God and have a relationship with God. Knowing about or of God is not the same. Having a relationship with God is the answer. This means we allow God to have control of our lives–not in part, but control of all of our lives. Even in the mist of the storm, the safest place to be is close to God. How close are you? Is it time to draw closer? There’s no better time than right now.
GR (Jerry) Niver
CMA Ohio State Coordinator
