By Michael E. Brooks

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matt. 6:19,20).

I am just returning from a preaching trip to Ramgar, in Kagrachary district in the Hill Tracts of Eastern Bangladesh. This is a region with separatist groups who have longstanding conflicts with the national government and is considered a dangerous part of the country. Travel has been restricted, especially by foreigners, but I was finally allowed to visit the area.

Among several new experiences on this trip was my first opportunity to be provided with armed security. Upon our arrival in Ramgar we checked in with the local police station and were assigned four armed policemen who were to stay with us and protect us throughout our visit. Needless to say that impressed me with the official assessment of potential danger. It also gave me a rather welcome feeling of having my safety valued, and of being well protected.

Security is one of the great pursuits of mankind. By putting locks on our doors, hiring guards for our person, and acquiring investments and insurance against our future, we seek the feeling of safety. And yet this is one of the most difficult of all goals to attain. No matter how hard we try we cannot guarantee that we will not be robbed, or attacked, or become ill, or have any of hundreds of bad things occur in our lives. In fact, we can guarantee that bad things will happen, eventually.

Yet in spite of this gloomy situation, there is hope. For the lack of true security is only a physical problem. While we cannot be sure of good health, long life and prosperity for our bodies, we can absolutely guarantee eternal prosperity for our souls. Jesus' description of heaven as a place secure against thieves and corruption assures us that God is able to protect us against any threat and secure us in any situation. This is true not only after death and judgment, but in our spiritual welfare while we live on this earth as well. Consider these wonderful promises given through Paul.

"If God is for us, who can be against us?... Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?... No in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:31,33,37-39).

Security is possible, but only by seeking it through obedient faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus taught, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me" (Jn. 14:6). And Peter proclaimed, "…there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Whereas there is absolutely nothing we can do which will ensure longer life, continued prosperity, or physical safety, God can keep us safe from all things. And, though he has made us mortals in terms of our physical bodies, he has made our souls immortal, able to live forever with him. That is true security and is sufficient for all our needs.