“…nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:39
There is in the Song of Solomon a picture where Solomon is protected by threescore valiant men, the most valiant men of Israel. Scripture tells us that, “They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of the fear of the night.” (3:7,8) We look at this picture, and it appears that Solomon’s defense is impenetrable, being guarded by the most capable and committed of his valiant soldiers. There is also the element of security in this picture, communicating to us the attitude of rest by Solomon. because he was safe.
In the letters of the Apostle Paul, given by the Spirit of God, the Lord reveals to the believer a place of security and safety that exceeds that of Solomon. It is in what Scripture calls, being IN CHRIST. To the Corinthian believers Paul would declare, “But of Him are ye IN Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (1 Cor. 1:30) There is in this declaration a world of meaning, for it describes the very act of God by which the sinner, the believer, has been taken out of Adam to be put into Jesus Christ, where Christ is Life, Light, and Love, indeed, all things good and holy. In that very act, the believer, or rather, that “old man” in Adam, was crucified with Christ and buried with Him. At the same time, the “new man” in Christ was raised up with Him, and is now seated with Him in heavenly places, (Eph. 2:6) The believer, having been made complete in Christ, positionally perfect and without blemish in Him, has been made to sit with Him, to reign by His victory. Paul would even go so far in his letter to the Colossians to declare: “…your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:2) Jesus, during His ministry, spoke of this security, this position and place of “safety,” provided to the believer, by saying: “…And I give to them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them to me is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:28-30) Herein is the rest that God gives, the certainty of not only sins forgiven to those who have put all their trust in Christ, but also, of a position of safety and security, that is as immutable as God Himself.
In the Old Testament, the subject of security and safety, from an eternal standpoint, was very significant. In a Psalm written by Moses, he wrote: “Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in ALL generations.” (90:1) How can this be so? Moses continues: “…from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.” (v.2) In Psalm 91, the Psalmist takes us to the point where the believer takes certain truths in his relationship with God, and then applies them to his life. It is in the application, where faith lays hold upon God, that the great spiritual reality of God being our “refuge and fortress” becomes very real to the soul. The Psalmist will take these truths, and make them his own by praying them. He writes in his prayer: “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.” (v.2) This truth not only applies to the soul concerning eternity, but to the present moments on earth, when circumstances and the heart fails for lack of strength. There is One who will not let us go. It was G. Matheson, who wrote the following: “O Love, that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee, I give Thee back the life I owe, That in Thine ocean depths its flow, may richer, fuller be.” The love of Christ is that unchangeable bond, which cannot be severed by anything or anyone.
Dear Father, Give us to live in Thy victorious, unchanging love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.