My son has a fuzzy blue blanket that goes to bed with him every night. He won’t sleep without it. A sticker on my neighbor’s door warns, “This house is protected by God and a gun. If you enter uninvited, you will meet them both.”

Both blanket and sticker illustrate something we all have: a desire for security. From the newest baby to the oldest senior, we all want to feel safe and secure. We especially like to feel secure in our relationships. As babies, being held made us feel secure. That close, warm connection told us we were loved. But as we grew older, we wanted more. 

Consider these common ways humans try to feel secure:

Money. Most people would like to be rich. Paying the bills would no longer be a constant concern. Others would look up to and envy them. They could retire in financial security.

Owning or wearing cool stuff. Others try to feel secure by buying expensive items: perhaps a new truck, a high-end living room suite, or trendy clothing. Impressing others by owning the “right” things can be an attempt to feel secure.

Popularity. Some people compete to have the most friends. They get a sense of security when others like them and follow them. They look down on less-popular people.

Good looks. Being good-looking and attractive can give people a sense of security. They feel good when others look twice when they walk by.

We can seek security in things like these, using them as yardsticks to measure ourselves against others. If we measure more rich or popular or good-looking than others, we feel more secure about ourselves and our place in the world. If we measure less than others, we feel less secure. However, the security we try to find in these things isn’t important. Why not?

Because we are using the wrong yardstick. God’s yardstick is the only right one. When we measure ourselves by it, we always fall far short. The Bible says, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6).

Feeling secure here and now has little to do with being secure when we die. After death, we will face God, and He will have the final word. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

How do you measure security?

Imagine standing before the righteous and holy God, knowing you are guilty of sin. Nothing could be less secure. To turn away from God in this life is to choose the wrong destiny—eternity in Hell. Everyone who rejects God, His Son, and His ways will hear these words: “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). That’s the ultimate insecurity.

How can you be truly secure? How can you escape sin’s curse? How can you receive God’s blessing and know Hell is not your destiny?

Know God. You must have a real relationship with God. You get that by agreeing with Him that you are sinful, repenting of your sin, and asking Him for help.

Confess your sins. We cannot meet God’s standard because we have chosen to sin. Admit this to God and ask Him to forgive you. The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Trust in Jesus. Only through Jesus can we be delivered from sin and its results. Only in Him can we find true security; every other method is futile. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Live in the light of truth. The Bible teaches us God’s ways, which are all true, good, and life-giving. To live a life free from sin and to please God, we must follow His ways. “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Obeying God brings His blessing on us.

Knowing and loving God brings security. Communicate with Him. Pray to Him. Read His words in the Bible and hear His voice in your heart. Claim this promise: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8).

God is the source of true security. Money vanishes, things wear out, friends may be fickle, and good looks fade. Blankets frazzle, and the gun beside the door harms. But God does not change. When we love and trust fully in Him, we have all we need to be truly secure—in life and in death.

FIND A SAFE PLACE

“God is our refuge and strength” (Psalm 46:1).

COME TO JESUS

“Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37). “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29, 30).

TURN YOUR LIFE OVER TO JESUS

“Come and follow me” (Matthew 19:21). “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him…and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him ” (John 14:21, 23).

REST IN GOD’S CONTROL AND LEADING

“All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5, 6).

LIVE IN HOPE

“We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we...rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1, 2). “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance” (Psalm 42:5).

Christian Light Publications, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 Phone (540) 434-0768.

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