Benescke Janse van Rensburg

I recently saw two video clips that made me smile. In one of them, a Chinese tour guide confidently walks with his flag in his hand on the East Taiheng glass bridge. The next moment, he crawls on the ground, terrified. Engineers installed sensors at one specific spot on the bridge. As soon as a tourist steps onto that spot, special effects and sound create the illusion that the glass is breaking. The reaction of the tourists is priceless.

In the second video, a tourist visiting Washington's Spy Museum touches the window of the shark tank. The next moment out of no where a shark appears and it seems like the shark swam into the tank’s window breaking it. In shock the man jumps away – clearly terrified. In both incidents, excellent interactive virtual images caught the two men off guard.

In our lives, the enemy also uses this "illusion" strategy to make us fearful of what possibly can go wrong in our lives. If we do not see the attack of the enemy for what it is, it will also leave us worried and terrified like the Chinese tour guide and the man in the museum. It robs us from clear thinking. Also from our faith in God and peace and joy in our lives.

In Psalm 91: 1,2,4,5, the Psalmist reminds us of the following: “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: ‘He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.’ For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armour and protection. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.”

What is paralyzing you with fear today? Are you afraid that something might happen to a loved one? Maybe that you will be diagnosed with an illness like a family member? Are you afraid that you will have to grow old alone or that you won’t have enough money when you retire? Are you laying on the ground like the tour guide or the tourist or do you see the illusion, while reminding yourself that God is still on the throne in your life?

Let's get up today knowing that God shelters us under his wings. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. And if something bad would to happen, may we remind ourselves that God is able to work it all together for the good for those who love Him. God bless.

Father God, thank you for promising to protect me. Please help me to keep my eyes on You even if it at times feels as if everything is falling apart. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.