Safe in a War Zone?

February 24, 2022, was the date that Russia began a large-scale invasion of the nation of Ukraine. One of my first memories of the invasion was watching news coverage of displaced families gathered in an underground shelter. When you’re in danger, you rush to the nearest place of safety. That’s the reality of life in a war zone.

The metro system, underground parking lots, hospital basements, as well as shelters designed for wartime, all served as safe places for the Ukrainian citizens. The places of safety were far from ideal, but they were safe.

While we don’t wake up each morning to the sound of enemy gunfire, it could be argued that we too live in a war zone. Not the sort that the Ukrainians experience, but a spiritual war zone.

The truth is that spiritual conflict exists anywhere man places his foot. It’s a global clash between the forces of light and the forces of darkness.

The apostle Paul gives us a frontline view of this spiritual battlefield:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).

Like the Ukrainians, we too need a safe place. The Bible points the way. Jesus said, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved (John 10:9, NIV).” The latch lifts, and the gate opens that leads into this place of security.

68 years ago, at a December church service, Pastor A.W. Tozer spoke about this unmerited passageway:

“But our Lord says there’s only one gate out of the old kingdom of the world into the kingdom of God. And that is, by Jesus Christ, our Lord, by way of the cross … entrance into the blessed Kingdom is by one, lone gate.”

To place your faith in Christ and His redemptive work on the cross is the one and only entryway into the kingdom of God that Tozer mentioned. The apostle Paul explained it this way: “For [God] rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13).”

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!” (Psalm 91:1-2)

We can take tremendous encouragement in the fact that those of us who’ve placed our faith in Christ are sheltered by Almighty God. Like the psalmist, we can look to God as our refuge and fortress. We can place our trust in Him.

These may be anxiety-ridden days for you. Plead with the Lord to give you all that’s necessary to simply rest in Him, despite the circumstances that trouble your heart.

Remember that it’s critical that you regularly open the Bible and fill your soul with the promises God has for you there. You need those soul-strengthening assurances that you are secure in Him. God is your safe place.

“I love You, O LORD, my strength.”

  The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
  My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
  My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (Psalm 18:1-2).

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