Protection from Harm in Times of Adversity

Protection from harm in times of adversity is a recurring theme in biblical texts, often attributed to divine intervention and a steadfast trust in God. The Psalms frequently express this reliance, with the psalmist declaring, "Why should I fear in times of trouble, when wicked usurpers surround me?" ^[1]. Another verse states, "In thy hand, are my times, Rescue me from the hand of my foes and from my pursuers!" ^[2]. This sentiment underscores a belief that God actively shields individuals from their enemies and the challenges of life.

The concept of divine protection extends to various forms of adversity. God is depicted as a "hiding place" from temporal calamities, spiritual evils, and eternal death ^[9]. The perfections of God are seen as chambers of retreat and safety where believers can find refuge until troubles pass ^[9]. This protection is not merely passive but involves God acting as a "shield" to guard against dangers and preserve from enemies ^[9]. Abraham Ibn Ezra, a Jewish rationalist commentator, interprets Deuteronomy 33:29, "The shield of thy help," to mean that no evil shall come upon the faithful ^[8]. Similarly, on Exodus 23:20, he notes that God promises "to keep thee by the way," ensuring that nothing evil happens ^[14].

The Bible also uses metaphors to illustrate God's protective care. "Hedges" are described as being designed for protection, often made of thorns, and placed around gardens and vineyards ^[5]. This imagery is used to illustrate God's protection, as seen in Job 1:10 ^[5]. The desolation caused by removing hedges further emphasizes their protective function ^[5].

Believers are encouraged to actively participate in their own protection by "putting on the full armor of God" to stand against the devil's schemes ^[3]. This armor provides the ability to resist attacks during "the time of evil—when evil seems to prevail—and to keep standing firm" ^[6]. This spiritual armor is understood as the Lord's protection, enabling believers to stand firm against all strategies of the devil ^[7].

While God's protection is emphasized, it does not imply an absence of adversity. John Calvin notes that believers will always be exposed to numerous calamities, even as God remains their perpetual guide ^[11]. The prayer for believers is not that they be taken out of the world, but that they be "kept from the evil"—all evil in and of the world ^[12]. This suggests that protection is often about preservation through adversity rather than complete removal from it.

The concept of divine protection also extends to the vulnerable. The fatherless, for instance, are explicitly taken under God's special protection ^[10]. God is described as their Redeemer, who will defend their rights, recover what is lost, and avenge wrongs done to them ^[10]. This highlights a divine commitment to justice and care for those who cannot protect themselves ^[10]. Furthermore, believers are called to protect the afflicted, as seen in Psalms 82:3 and Proverbs 22:22 ^[4].

Even in the face of threats from wicked individuals, believers are advised not to fear "sudden fear" or the "desolation of the wicked," trusting in God's care ^[13]. God is capable of restraining even distant and powerful adversaries, demonstrating that divine protection is not limited by human strength or proximity ^[15]. The Lord preserves believers from all evil, including the evil of sin, the world's wickedness, and the rage of wicked men ^[16].

Sources

Psalms “Psalms 49:5 (BSB) — Why should I fear in times of trouble, when wicked usurpers surround me?”
Psalms “Psalms 31:15 (Rotherham) — In thy hand, are my times, Rescue me from the hand of my foes and from my pursuers!”
Ephesians “Ephesians 6:11 (BSB) — Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted, Duty Toward The — To pray for them -- Ac 12:5; Php 1:16,19; Jas 5:14-16. To sympathise with them -- Ro 12:15; Ga 6:2. To pity them -- Job 6:14. To bear them in mind -- Heb 13:3. To visit them -- Jas 1:27. To comfort them -- Job 16:5; 29:25; 2Co 1:4; 1Th 4:18. To relieve them -- Job 31:19,20; Isa 58:10; Php 4:14; 1Ti 5:10. To protect them -- Ps 82:3; Pr 22:22; 31:5.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hedges — Antiquity of -- 1Ch 4:23. Designed for protection -- Isa 5:2. Often made of thorns -- Mic 7:4. Placed around Gardens. -- Song 4:12; La 2:6. Vineyards. -- Mt 21:33; Mr 12:1. Difficulty of breaking through -- Pr 15:19. Danger of breaking through -- Ec 10:8. Desolation caused by removing -- Ps 80:12,13. Filled with grasshoppers -- Na 3:17. Poor travellers sought rest under -- Lu 14:23. Afforded protection in danger -- Jer 49:3. Making up gaps in, alluded to -- Eze 13:5; 22:30. Illustrative Of God's protection. -- Job 1:10. Of numerous afflictions. -- Job 3:23; ”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 6:13: 6:13 God’s armor gives believers the ability to resist the attacks of the devil in the time of evil—when evil seems to prevail—and to keep standing firm.”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 6:11: 6:11 Put on all of God’s armor: See Rom 13:12; 2 Cor 10:4-5. It is only by the Lord’s protection that a believer can stand firm against all strategies of the devil (cp. 1 Pet 5:8-9).”
Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 33:29: THE SHIELD OF THY HELP. No evil shall come upon you.”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:110: Thou art my hiding place,.... From temporal calamities. The perfections of God are chambers of retreat and safety to his people, where they may hide themselves and be safe, till such calamities are over, Isa 26:20. And from spiritual evils; from avenging justice, from divine wrath, from the rage of Satan, and the fury of men, Isa 32:2; and from eternal death, and being hurt by it; the spiritual and eternal life of saints being hid with Christ in God, Col 3:3; see Psa 32:7; and my shield; to protect from all dangers, and preserve from every enemy: such are the lov”
Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 23:10: Note, 1. The fatherless are taken under God's special protection; with him they not only find mercy shown to them (Hos 14:3) but justice done for them. He is their Redeemer, their Goel, their near kinsman, that will take their part and stand up for them with jealousy, as taking himself affronted in the injuries done to them. As their Redeemer he will plead their cause against those that do them any injury, and, one way or other, will not only defend their right, and recover it for them, but avenge the wrongs done to them. And he is mighty, almighty; his omnipot”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 10.11: believers, when God has marked them, will be safe. This must be carefully observed; for we are reminded that we shall not become partakers of the grace of God in any other way than by bearing his image, and by his glory shining in us. 6. And a covering in the day-time shall be a shadow from the heat. Though the Prophet confirms what we have already noticed, that God will be our perpetual guide till he has brought us to the end of our journey, yet we are reminded that believers will always be exposed to numerous calamities. Scorching heat, an”
John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 17:15: I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world--for that, though it would secure their own safety, would leave the world unblessed by their testimony. but . . . keep them from the evil--all evil in and of the world.”
Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 3:25: Be not afraid of sudden fear,.... Of anything terrible that comes unawares, unthought of, by any of the above things mentioned in the preceding note; or by any rumours and reports of danger being near at hand; always think thyself safe in the arms of Wisdom, and under the care of Israel's keeper, who neither slumbers nor sleeps; neither of the desolation of the wicked when it cometh; either of the desolation which wicked men threaten to bring, and are suffered to bring, upon the godly for the sake of religion; either on their persons or goods, since suffering at t”
Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 23:20: TO KEEP THEE BY THE WAY. So that nothing evil happens to you.”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 14.15: to his addressing a nation so distant, to whom that word could not reach, the reason is obvious, that the efficacy of the word might be made known to unbelievers, and that they might know that he would restrain the Assyrians with all their warlike accoutrements, though they were at a great distance; as if he had said, “You do indeed despise God, but it will be easy for him to keep you at a distance, and to repress all your rage.” Gird yourselves. This is not a superfluous repetition; for it is far more difficult to expect the assistance of G”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 121:6: Thee Lord shall preserve them from all evil,.... The Word of the Lord, as the Targum. Not from the evil of affliction, though from that as a penal evil; or as a real one, it being made to work for good: but from the evil of sin; not from the being or commission of it; but from its dominion and damning power, or from a final and total falling away by it: and from the evil of the world; not from tribulation in it, nor from the reproach or persecution of it; but from the wickedness and lusts that are in it, and from the wicked men of it, their power, rage, and fury: and”

Ask Your Own Question