At the start of each day as we face our daily chores, whatever they may be and wherever they may take us, we face the dangers of travel, occupation or whatever duty we are required to perform. So, we have two choices, face the day with our own determinations or seek the providential safeguards of our God. When we make the choice to go on our own resolve, we face challenges and circumstances over which we have little or no control; however, under God’s guidance and protection He takes control.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT COURSE
“In December 1995, American Airlines Flight 965 departed from Miami on a regularly scheduled trip to Cali, Columbia. On the landing approach, the pilot of the 757 needed to select the next radio navigation fix, named Rozo. He entered an R into his navigation computer. The computer returned a list of nearby navigation fixes starting with R, and the pilot selected the first of these, whose latitude and longitude appeared to be correct.
Unfortunately, instead of Rozo, the pilot selected Romeo, 132 miles to the northeast. The jet was southbound, descending into a valley that runs north-south, and any lateral deviation was dangerous. Following indications on the flight computer, the pilots began an easterly turn and slammed into a granite peak at 10,000 feet. One hundred and fifty-two passengers and all eight crewmembers aboard perished. Four passengers survived with serious injuries.
The National Transportation Safety Board investigated, and . . . declared the problem human error. The navigational aid the pilots were following was valid but not for the landing procedure at Cali. In the literal definition of the phrase, this was indeed human error, because the pilot selected the wrong fix… . .
The front panel of the airplane’s navigation computer showed the currently selected navigation fix and a course deviation indicator. When the plane is on course, the needle is centered, but the needle gives no indication whatsoever about the correctness of the selected radio beacon. The gauge looks pretty much the same just before landing as it does just before crashing. The computer told the pilot he was tracking precisely to the beacon he had selected. Unfortunately, it neglected to tell him the beacon he selected was a fatal choice.” [Source: Perfect Illustrations and More Perfect Illustrations by Christianity Today International.] How often people make similar choices in life, some deliberately, others because of what they believe to be a correct choice; and as the days and years go by, they finally comprehend they have been on a wrong course.
“There is a way that seems right to a man[person], but in the end it leads to death.” <Prov.14:12 (NIV)> This verse describes the end-result of those individuals that make the wrong choice in life, and we must understand that the use of the word “death” does not necessarily mean physical death but most certainly “spiritual death” or eternal separation from God. Every individual person born into this world inherits the sin of Adam our forefather <see Rom.3:9-18, 23> and where no repentance is evident will face the penalty for sin which is spiritual death <Rom.6:23>. God has given to each of us the freedom of choice, just as He did for His chosen people the Jews <see Deut.30:19-20> and the choice we make will determine our destiny, and since we are all under the same condemnation we need to turn to God in repentance of our sins <see Isa.55:6-7> for as in the illustration above, the pilot made his choice but he was on the wrong course.
We are therefore encouraged to seek Divine protection, not only from the penalty of our sins but also from the perils that we face on a day-to-day basis. God promises us safety in travel <Psa.121:8>; safety during the day or night <Psa.91:4-5, 9-11> and safety during perilous times <Psa.27:5>.
FACTS TO CONTEMPLATE
We have no right to put God to the test when requesting His physical protection when we engage in careless or unlawful acts, or by putting ourselves in situations of deliberate disobedience to God’s commands. Neither is it ours to dictate to God which method He should use to protect us; for it is within His power to suspend or to counteract natural laws, or to use supernatural means to protect when it is within His purpose. We should also understand that delays in His response may be because of His love for us as He is able to see what is not evident to us. We must also be aware of, and accept, the possible eventualities of our circumstance as it fits what will be God’s divine purposes and sovereignty.
So, we make our choice each day, and for each circumstance we face we must rest on on God’s ability to protect us, recognizing the fact that we are in His hands and under His control, He is Sovereign, Omniscient, and Omnipotent <see Psa.91:9; Mk.4:35-40>.
“We said a prayer that God would watch over us.” Sherri Conley, of Oklahoma, telling the “Daily Oklahoman” how she, her husband, and two sons had huddled in their hallway linen closet for protection from a deadly tornado. After the storm passed, she discovered the closet was the only thing left standing from the family’s home.” [Source: Perfect Illustrations and More Perfect Illustrations (Tornado Insurance) by Christianity Today International.]