Confession time: I’ve started scheduling my lunch break around crime drama re-runs. It sounds odd, I know, but it’s a break from staring at the computer, and the story lines keeping me thinking! For the record, I only do this once or twice a week, but the timing is intentional. 🙂

One thing I’ve observed about the last 10-15 minutes of these shows is that when the police or SWAT teams or FBI prepare to make the big arrest, they have a plan that is very carefully orchestrated. There seems to be a “front” person who enters the building first. [Oh my heart, you could not pay me enough to be that person!] Then comes the rest of the team of officers. Each knows that the others have them covered (even the front person) should the “bad guy” start to shoot at them.

As I watched this happen at the conclusion of a show last week, I realized that they never have to turn around and look back. They look straight ahead, prepared to face the enemy and prepared to do what they are there to do! Because they have trust in their fellow officers, they know they are fully protected on all sides and so they move forward without distraction.

Though Scripture reading doesn’t generally lead me to think about illustrations from crime shows (!), this was exactly the mental picture that came to mind as I read Isaiah 52 last week. As Isaiah prophesied God’s message to Jerusalem, he said these words in verse 12:

“For the Lord will go ahead of you, and the God of Israel will protect you from behind.” (NLT)

They had nothing to fear! God was surrounding them on every side! There was no need to look back and fear or be distracted by what was behind them, and there was no need to fear the future or wonder where to go! Just as He had been with the children of Israel—surrounding them with protection and guidance as they crossed the Red Sea—God was there!

That same God surrounds me with His care today! There is no need to look back and fear or be distracted by what is behind me, and there is no need to fear the future or wonder where to go. God is there! I can joyfully obey the command of Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (NIV)

“No matter where He leadeth, o’er shadowed path or fair, / I know that He will keep me; I’m surrounded by His care. / I’m surrounded by His care, and no harm can reach me there. / With my Savior near, I have naught to fear. / I’m surrounded by His care!” – Lyrics by John W. Peterson

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Thank you for taking time read “You’re Surrounded!” Please feel free to leave a comment.