In Safe in the Shepherd's Arms, Author Max Lucado noted sheep need protection from adders. He said," Adders are small brown snakes that live underground, they pop out of the ground to bite sheep on the nose. The small bite on the nose will cause an infection and the sheep may die. To prevent the adder from popping out of the hole the shepherd anoints the hole with oil to prevent the snake from climbing out! He simply can't climb out but slides back into the hole." When we remain under the shepherd's care he prevents the serpent (that ole devil) from sliding out his hole! He can't get to us to bite us.
In John chapter seventeen, Jesus prayed for his disciples, asking God to protect them from Satan, the evil one (John 17:15).
He said, He was not praying for those in the world. He was only praying for those God had given Him (John 17:9). Those God gave Him believed/received His words and believed He came from God (John 17:8).
Yes, God will protect us from adders. As we close 2016 and fear appears to haunt many. What do we say to them? We say fear the Lord instead! Those who fear God shall lack no good thing, neither shall terror or any form of evil come near them.
To fear God is to respect or revere Him. Solomon said, "The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil." Proverbs 19:23
If we fear the Lord and follow the Good Shepherd we should fear no evil (Psalms 23:4) in 2017! May you enter into the Lords rest and boldly proclaim the benefits of the 23 Psalm.
The Lord Is My Shepherd
Psalm 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psalm 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalm 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
