OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL: THURSDAY, MARCH 12TH, 2026

TOPIC: SAFETY IS OF THE LORD

MEMORISE:

I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. - (Psalm 91:2)

READ: Psalm 127:1-2 

1. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

2. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. 

MESSAGE:

I find it surprising that many influential people think that their bodyguards can truly keep them safe. The truth is, no human being can truly keep another person safe; safety is of the Lord (Proverbs 21:31). For example, when bodyguards are confronted by assailants with superior firearms, the people they are protecting will quickly realise that nobody is really willing to die for someone else, no matter how much he or she is paid. Beloved, the only one who can keep you safe is the Most High God; therefore, your hope for tomorrow should be in Him and no one else.

Sometimes, on my travels around the world, I am driven by reckless drivers. At one time in Brazil, one of such reckless drivers drove me from the hotel I was staying in to the place I was to minister at. As he drove, I was busy praying for him because I was worried about his safety. I knew that my safety was not in his hands, and if anything happened, I would be safe; it was him I was worried about. No matter how good or bad a driver is, I know that I will always arrive safely at my destination because my life is in God's hands.

Even though David was a mighty warrior who had fought and defeated lions, bears, and giants, he knew he was not responsible for his safety. Throughout the book of Psalms, he reminds us to keep our eyes on the only One who can truly keep us safe. Psalm 121 is one of such Psalms that reminds us that the Lord is our keeper (verse 5). People who have had to undergo surgery because of what seemed to be a minor accident, such as hitting their toes against a stone, will understand how important David's words in Psalm 91:11-12 are.

When God protects a fellow, the person's enemies won't be able to harm him or her, no matter how numerous they are. This was Jehoshaphat's experience when he wore his royal robes and went into battle with Ahab against the Syrians. He became the primary target of all the captains of the Syrian army because they had been ordered to kill the king only, but God's mark of safety was upon him, and they did not touch him (1 Kings 22:29-33).

Beloved, put your trust in God because only He can keep you safe. 

KEY POINT:

When God protects you, nothing and no one can harm you 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

Joshua 23-24

HYMNAL:

HYMN 19 - ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME

1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood,

From Thy wounded side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure;

Save from wrath and make me pure.

2. Not the labors of my hands,

Can fulfill Thy law's demands;

Could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears for ever flow,

All for sin could not atone,

Thou must save and Thou alone.

3. Nothing in my hand I bring,

Simply to Thy cross I cling

Naked, come to Thee for dress,

Helpless, look to Thee for grace,

Foul, I to the fountain fly;

Wash me, Saviour, or I die.

4. While I draw this fleeting breath,

When mine eyes shall close in death,

When I soar to worlds unknown,

See Thee on Thy judgement throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee.