30/04/2024
DIGGING DEEP
CHURCH SECURITY
INTRODUCTION
The Almighty God is deeply interested in the spiritual and physical safety of His Church. God protects His Church. We should be prepared to do what needs to be done to protect ourselves, but our overall safety is of the Lord. See Proverbs 21:31; Psalm 127:1. It will therefore be foolish not to take the measures that are within our purview to protect ourselves. There is a general misconception that since our security is in the hands of God, we do not need to bother ourselves much about security issues. Indeed Psalm 91 and Psalm 127:1 and many others offer solid assurances to us about God’s protective shield over His children. But we will also note that David who wrote Psalm 91, 46, 23 and many others had body guards. See 2Chronicles 11: 24 - 26; 2 Samuel 23:22-24. David chose the best among the warriors as his own personal security guards. Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, was one of David’s “mighty men”, a collection of the very best, the toughest military men. The Bible describes Benaiah as a fearless warrior noted for his heroic exploits. 1Chronicles 11:22. Throughout his reign David maintained a very powerful standing army. 2Samuel 8:18; 20:23; 23:23; 1Chronicles 18:17. God expects us to be mindful of our physical security.
GOD IS INTERESTED IN SECURITY
Security as a concept originated from God. God takes security very seriously; He neither sleeps nor slumbers (Psalm 121:4). See also Genesis 3:24; Isaiah 14:12-20; Revelation 12:7-9. God is actually the Commander of the host of heaven – He is charge of the security of the world. God is Jehovah Sabaoth. Psalm 46:7. God watches after the world. Psalm 127:1. There are biblical references which support the view that God is invested and interested in security. In Genesis 3:24, we see a cherubim guarding the Garden of Eden with a flaming sword. The Bible describes Angel Michael in terms that reflect his status as a warrior leading an uncountable number of very powerful fighting angels who excel in strength. Psalms 103:20. Michael the Archangel is in a sense, Heaven’s 5-star General. See Daniel 10:13-21; 12:1; Revelation 12:7-8. Believers must therefore note the following facts:
●It is God, not humans that invented security. Genesis 3:24, Isaiah 14:12-20; Revelation 12:7-9.
●God has emplaced security in the present heaven. Isaiah 14:12-20; Revelation 12:7-9.
●God deployed security to guard the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:23-24.
●God has designed a security architecture for the coming New Heaven and New Earth. Revelation 21:12. The gates of the New Heaven and New Earth will be guarded by angels. Revelation 21:27.
●Our protection is God's duty, and this is guaranteed. See Psalm 121:4.
●God deploys chariots for the protection and defence of His choice vessels whose destinies and ministries are tied to destinies of nations. See 2Kings 6:16-18.
●We must fulfil our part in God’s security architecture for the Church. Do not take chances with Church security. See Ephesians 4:27, 1Peter 5:8.
PHYSICAL SECURITY IN THE BIBLE
There are many instances in the Bible to support the view that God wants us to be proactive concerning our physical safety. Moses defended the daughters of Jethro when other shepherds drove them and their flock’s away from the watering place. See Exodus 2:16-17. The ancient congregations of Israel had gatekeepers who watched out for danger. Let us not be “in the spirit” such that we neglect to do the things that God requires us to do for our safety. See 1Chron 9:21-24, Nehemiah 4:10-23. But more critically, see Luke 22:36. The Church must protect itself from enemies that will easily harm us if we are not watching. God expects us to be wise. See also, Numbers 1:53, 2Kings 11:7, 11, Esther 8:10-11, Exodus 2:16-17, Judges 2:16, Psalm 94:16, Ezekiel 33:1-9, Luke 22:36-38 and Psalm 144:1, 6.
The Bible has a lot to say about not ignoring physical safety. In Luke 22:36, the Lord directed His disciples to carry a sword for protection. Paul the Apostle was kept from those who would have harmed him on many occasions. See Acts 9:25; 17:10; 19:30; and 23:10. Nehemiah trusted God for the safety of the children of Israel but they held swords in one hand for their protection as they built the broken-down walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 4:18. Father Abraham had trained security guards. Genesis 14:14.
The Lord told us to turn the other cheek in Matt 5:39, but this was within the framework of self-control in personal interactions. He commanded the disciples to be armed for their protection in perilous times or situations. See Luke 22:36-38. Consider this:
●The Levites were not only to help the priests in their service and administration, but also to be guards for the Tabernacle, and later for the Temple. See Numbers 1:53.
●Benaiah who was a member of King David’s team tagged his mighty men, was the son of Jehoiada, a priest. See 1Chron 11:21-23; 12:27.
●After the usurper, Queen Athaliah had reigned for eight years, the High Priest Jehoiada had Levites who were Temple guards to serve as the personal bodyguards for Prince Joash as he was crowned the King. See 2 Kings 11:17-11.
●God always raised men and women in the mould of military leaders to rescue Israel from their oppressors. See Judges 2:16.
●When Mordecai became the Prime Minister of Persia, he authorized the Jews to defend themselves if attacked. See Esther 8:9-11.
●In the Old Testament, God promised the Israelites that they would dwell in the land in safety if they obeyed His commandments. He was guaranteeing their safety. See Leviticus 25:18–19; 26:3–5; Deuteronomy 12:10.
●The Israelites defended themselves against the Amalekites after leaving Egypt. See Exodus 17:8-16.
●The Lord Jesus taught His disciples the importance of self-defence. See Luke 22:35-36.
CONCLUSION
Children of God must be actively involved in designing physical security measures to keep worshippers safe. There were angels all around baby Jesus, but Joseph played his part. Matthew 2:12-15. Believers must proactively prepare for unforeseen security challenges. Proverbs 22:3. We must responsibly protect our worship places and homes. Luke 11:2. Saints of God must be security conscious at all times, but not out of fear. Matthew 24:43. It is Biblical to defend ourselves against attackers, in concert with state security agents. Esther 8:10-11. We are to watch and pray. Mathew 26:4. Vigilance must precede our prayers. Vigilance should and must be our watchword at all times. The fact is security begins with you the individual. You are in reality the best security officer for your life and personal property. It is true that as children of God, we are encompassed with a network of angelic guards (Psalm 91:1, 11-12) and in some cases, human security operatives, but we must take charge of our personal and collective safety. This has to remain our personal nonexchangeable responsibility (Nehemiah 4:9).
