You squeeze me in from behind and in front;
you place your hand on me.
Your knowledge is beyond my comprehension;
it is so far beyond me, I am unable to fathom it. (Psalms 139:5, 6)
I’m alone in North America’s Sierra Mountains. Fir trees sway among madronas, rising from a floor of crunchy leaves and needles. I inhale the tang of pine resin, and hear the song of robins. In my rapture, I’m oblivious to the commotion of ten thousand insects, spiders, and worms all around me.
The fact that bugs make up ninety-five percent of the world’s animal species goes unnoticed by me. What’s more, the bacteria, spores, and protozoa I carry outnumber the actual cells in my body. Below me are insects and microorganisms, above is the spiritual realm, and all I bother with is my own narrow slice from the spectrum of life.
Jesus reigns over much more than I fathom. The Bible says he holds together all physical and spiritual creation. If he is present in this moment to sustain those billions of organisms and beings, then he is easily able to govern my small world too.
Nothing can get to me without going through Jesus first. It doesn’t matter if I find myself in the most forsaken corner of the world or overrun by demonic hordes, he will never ever let go of the real me in my spirit.
My Savior’s guardianship frees me from an obsession with self-preservation. By his hand on my shoulder, I am made into an invincible spiritual superhero.
Prayer: Surrounding Jesus, I give responsibility for protection to you.