Protection // 保護 // Masashi Shibuya
When storms rage and tragedy strikes, God’s protection isn’t far. Protection isn’t an escape from trouble—it’s peace in the fire, purpose in the pain, and power for what’s next.
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Protection
(Matthew 6:9-13 NIV)
“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, (10) your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (11) Give us today our daily bread. (12) And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
(Acts 28:1-10 NLT)
Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. (2) The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us. (3) As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. (4) The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” (5) But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. (6) The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.
External Protection
(Psalm 121:7-8 NIV)
The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; (8) the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
(2 Thessalonians 3:2-3 NIV)
And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. (3) But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
(Psalm 23:4-5 NIV)
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (5) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Internal Protection
(Matthew 26:41 NIV)
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
(Philippians 4:6-9 NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (9) Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Protection to Breakthroughs
(Acts 28:7-10 NLT)
Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days. (8) As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. (9) Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. (10) As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.
Connect Group Questions:
- How does God protect us from danger like He protected Paul?
- What does it mean that God watches over our coming and going?
- How can we protect our hearts and minds with God’s peace?
- Why is it important to pray and watch so we don’t fall into temptation?
- How did God’s protection during their shipwreck lead to healing and breakthroughs in Acts 28?
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