On the last Sunday in 2019 a man shot and killed two people during a church service in Texas before a member of the church’s security team shot and killed him. In 2017 another shooting at a church in Texas resulted in 26 people being killed. That led to a law being passed in Texas allowing for armed security teams in churches.

In this day and age with so many mass shootings, so many lives being lost, so many families suffering devastating heartache, churches have been forced to have discussions about armed security teams. What works for each individual congregation is their decision. In the midst of the discussion, however, it should not be forgotten that God’s church already has the most powerful and effective security team in place.

In II Kings 6 it tells of a time when the king of Aram sent his army to capture the prophet Elisha. The servant of Elisha looked out and saw an imposing, threatening army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. He cried out, “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” (v. 15). We look around us at a violent world, full of trials and challenges, threats and dangers, and we fearfully cry out to God, “What shall we do?”

Elisha told his servant, “‘Don’t be afraid … Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ Then he prayed, ‘O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (v. 16-17).

Elisha knew, by faith in the Lord, he was surrounded by an angelic army that was much stronger and more powerful than any earthly army. That security team usually isn’t seen by our physical eyes, but it is very real and present. By faith in Christ we can have that same confidence Elisha had. God’s security team is still in place and on the job. We pray as Elisha did: that our eyes might be open to see the greatness of His protection and hear the beauty of his invitation to not be afraid.

The angelic army blinded the eyes of the army of the king of Aram. Elisha led them to the king of Israel where they were captured. The king was prepared to wipe out these enemies, but Elisha said to serve them a feast. The feast was surprising and undeserved, and a great illustration of grace. The feast resulted in the end of conflict between Aram and Israel (v. 23).

Because of God’s security team, we no longer live in cowering fear of the big, bad world out there. Instead we end conflicts by graciously serving those who intend harm.

As we enter a new year it is tempting to wonder if we are going to be safe? Are we prepared? God is prepared. Our hope and our security rest in Him. “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long” (Deuteronomy 33:12).

It is about 100 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. If you’re driving it takes about two hours, depending on traffic. It would take close to a week to hike it. There are some hills and valleys between the two places, so it wouldn’t be the easiest hike. It would take even longer to walk it with a pregnant wife who was about to give birth.

It was maybe an interesting conversation Joseph and Mary had when they realized they had to travel that 100 miles from Nazareth to their ancestral home of Bethlehem. The government mandate that was forcing them to make the trip seemed to come at the worst time possible. This poor father-to-be had to wonder how he was going to take care of Mary on this long journey. Mary maybe wondered what God was up to. His angel promised the baby in her womb was from the Lord. Why didn’t He intervene so that she and the baby didn’t have to make this dangerous journey?

Mary and Joseph’s trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem didn’t happen because some government official got a crazy idea on some way to increase tax revenue. It was part of God’s plan. Hundreds of years earlier He had promised the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem because it was the hometown of King David. As He always does, God kept His Word.

God’s plans sometimes don’t make sense to us. Why send this pregnant young lady on a 100 miles hike over hills and valleys? In a similar way, God may send us on journeys that cause us to question and wonder. When the angel told her she was going to give birth to the Christ Child, Mary’s response was, “I am the Lord’s servant. … May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). She was willing to trust the Lord and follow Him on the journey, even though it was bound to involve some surprising twists and turns.

God’s plan for the salvation of all people was placed in the womb of a teenage girl from an ordinary family. Success of the plan depended on the girl and her betrothed safely completing a 100 miles hike; then giving birth to the baby while in a barn, separated from their family. It sounds like a wild and risky plan.

God continues to work in similar fashion today. He entrusts ordinary sinners like us with the priceless treasure of His good news for the world. His plan to transform lives all over the world involves using flawed human beings like us. He calls us to tasks for which we aren’t at all qualified, apart from Him. He sends us down paths that appear, to our limited human reason, to be mistakes.

The Lord knows what He is doing. He has a plan that is often beyond our understanding. It may seem risky, but the safest place is always to be trusting in the Lord’s care. He watched over Mary and Joseph on their journey, and He watches over us. We don’t fear the journey, no matter how scary and uncertain it may appear. God’s plans may seem wild and confusing, but they are always good. We rest in the promise of Immanuel – God with us.