Christian Writers Circle

WHAT IS SECURITY?

Ruth Dowler shares six of nine definitions on “Security” for us to consider from the Microsoft Encarta College Dictionary, published 2001 St. Martin Press, New York, NY

1. State or feeling safety. The state of feeling safe and protected.

2. Freedom from worry about possible loss. The assurance that something of value will not be taken away.

3. Something giving assurance – something that provides a sense of protection from loss, attack, and/or harm.

4. Safety, protection against attack from without or subversion from within; e.g. a matter of national security.

5. Precautions to maintain safety; precautions taken to keep somebody or something safe from crime, attack, or danger, e.g. “security measures.”

6. Guards people or an organization entrusted with the job or protecting somebody or something especially a building or in situations against crime.

TRUE SECURITY

by Mary Helen Palser

There are many ways to consider the word “security.” One definition states that security is from the Latin word securus meaning “without care or anxiety.” To the young child, it means being in the comforting arms of loving parents. To a person of old age, it means being with those who still care about them. For a young couple, it means having a loving relationship with one another. To people in the business world, it could mean having a good job and money in the bank. One thing these examples have in common is that their “security” depends on another person, persons or circumstance.

True security is the confidence that comes from putting our trust in the One who knows all our future cares and needs and has proven his concern and ability to care for us. Only by committing our lives to Him in every way can we rest in his secure eternal love. A life lived for Christ will not only bring secure confidence to that person but will encourage those around them to seek this same true security.

Psalm 91 encourages us to put our trust in the Lord, hiding under the shelter of His wings. In conclusion, let us say to the Lord, “You are my refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.”

SECURITY THROUGH PRAYER

by Catherine Japuntich Weil

My Lord and my God, I thank You this morning.

Like a child to his Poppa, I run to Your side.

You love me so softly and fill me with Your glory.

The Alpha and Omega resides in me.

My Lord and my God, I praise You this morning

Mouth wide open, my soul sings to You.

Your food is of angels and satisfies deeply

Down to the very essence of me.

My Lord and my God, I long for You always,

Heart wide open, seeking the rain.

I’ll wait for Your cloud burst and joy of Your presence

Rivers of life pouring over me.

My Lord and my God I sit now in silence,

Knowing full well that You are my Lord.

I am content and peace overcomes me

As I wait for the sound of Your glorious Word.

I gather myself to go forth and serve You

Ready for life one moment at a time.

Three In One Godhead, the Trinity of Power

But You only respond to Jesus’ holy name.

SECURE IN THE LAP OF JESUS

By Carole Lane

May 28, 2009 was the beginning of the rest of my life. That night I stood next to the bed of my husband of thirty-eight years and his twenty-three year old married mistress. Along with my heart, all sense of security provided by the love and care of the man I trusted for so long was shattered into a million pieces.

My life has been anchored in Jesus since I gave Him my heart at the age of five and He was my strength in that moment. He has become dearer with each passing day. My security truly is found in Him. Isaiah 26:3 ESV states, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you.” He gives me emotional and spiritual stability as I stay hidden in Him and His Word.

Colossians 3:3 reminds me that my life is “hidden with Christ in God.” That is my safe place. In Christ I have peace of mind and heart, clarity of thought, joy, hope, and a bright future. He longs to bring us freedom from our agonizing pain. “For freedom Christ has set us free, stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery,” Galatians 5: 1 ESV. It’s our choice to walk in that freedom Christ purchased for us.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” This statement is repeated continually in the Old Testament and has become my proclamation. I state it loud in the face of fear and loneliness. His love, displayed in His tender daily care and provision, has surrounded me.

My heart craves God’s Word. I’ve found myself hugging and even kissing the cover of my Bible many times through the past months. When my body was physically reacting to the betrayal and rejection, I would often sleep with it on my chest or with my hand on it as it lay next to me in the bed. God’s Word is living and came to us physically in the form of Jesus. God’s Word is my guide. Psalm 119:105 ESV “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” All my security is wrapped up in the person, Jesus Christ.

My sister often asked me in the months following the betrayal if I was “hanging onto His hem,” referring to keeping my heart focused on Jesus. My reply over the months moved from “yes” to “I have crawled up into His lap.” My head rests on His chest and I listen for His heartbeat. Now that’s real security!

THE GREATEST SECURITY

by Judy Hitson

Psalm 102: 28 NLT “The children of your people will live in security. Their children’s children will thrive in your presence.”

The greatest security for us, our children, and grandchildren is found in Christ.

We generally think of the security of our lives, homes, personal valuables, transportation, work places, our city, state, or nation. Some of us invest in a home where it is safe to live. Some pay the price for a security system for their home, perhaps a security vault at a bank or security system for a car. We may think of government systems such as Homeland Security in the United States. Yet with the best available security measures for us on earth, we realize systems may fail. Nothing is a guarantee for complete security.

Things may change that cause us to feel insecure or unsafe. Some examples might be the loss of a loved one, loss of a job, loss of health, or economic collapse. Other circumstances can cause one to feel insecure such as a life or lives threatened or abused.

Today’s verse from the New Living Translation speaks of a promise from God’s Word. The promise for us as the people of God and our children is to live in security and thrive in His presence. Though all fall down around us, even to lose our life on earth, be assured and encouraged that the greatest security for us and our children is found only in Christ.

MY SHIELD – MY SECURITY

by Brenda Flowers

Most people when they think of a shield think of an object used in battle that is held by one hand, while the other hand holds a weapon such as a sword. Some may think of a round shield or an oblong shield held to protect the chest, mainly the heart.

You, O Lord, revealed through Your Word that You are my shield. In Psalm 3: 3 NLT “But You, O LORD, are a shield around me.” You say in Psalm 5: 12 NLT “For You bless the godly, O LORD, surrounding them with Your shield of love.”

My shield goes all around me. You, LORD, are my shield. You protect me completely. You are that safety shield. I am always secure in all ways in You, LORD.

What better security is there?

A LOVE LETTER FROM THE LORD

Contributed by Meghan L. M. Flowers, who received this poetic letter anonymously.

When you cry I’ll wipe away your tears

I’ll hold you up and guard you from your fears

And when the trials come throughout the years

I’ll be your comfort

When you cry and your heart is at a loss

Think of what I did upon the cross

Be patient while I clear away the dross

I’ll be your comfort

When no one else knows quite what you are feeling

And you find the ones who loved you only stealing

I’m the One who brings you all the healing

I’ll be your comfort

Have faith in what you as of yet can’t see

Through valley and through fire be made free

And when you come to part and be with Me

I’ll be your comfort

Love Always,

Christ Jesus, the Lord

SECURITY IN CHRIST

by Judy Hitson

The phrase “safe and secure from all alarms” keeps coming to mind. Do you remember the hymn this phrase comes from? If you said, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,” you are absolutely right! This hymn was written by Elisha A. Hoffman in the 1800’s and the words are as meaningful to us today as when they were written.

Paul’s letter to the Colossians also comes to mind. This letter reveals the fullness of Christ in His Diety and helps us understand Christ is our life.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, when you struggle with insecurity, draw near to Him. Be assured of His great love for you, His salvation granting you security in Him now and forever. You are secure in Christ.

I’ll close with all stanzas and refrain of “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.” May the Lord confirm your security in Christ to your heart and spirit.

Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus.

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Copyright © 2010 by The Christian Writers Circle. Published with permission granted by authors.