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- Apr 25, 2006
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13 August 2007
Psalm 71:1-3
In you, Lord, is my protection. Never let me be ashamed.
Because you do what is right, save and rescue me; listen to me and save me.
Be my place of safety where I can always come.
Give the command to save me, because you are my rock and my strong, walled city.
I'm very conscious when I read verses like today's that in the life that I lead I am safe from harm and persecution. There are laws to protect me; there is a police force that makes sure my rights to safety are maintained. If I feel threatened an emergency call to 999 (or 112 or 911) will bring people to me to protect and save me.
As a police officer, I came into many situations where I met people who just wanted to feel safe. I often heard them say the words the psalmist has written "do what is right, save and rescue me; listen to me and save me. Be my place of safety where I can always come".
It broke my heart to see people in those situations, as there was only so much I could do. It broke it so much that I left the police to follow a career helping create those safe places for people to come to and to be there as a person who could listen to them.
Not all are called to directly to help such people, but we are all called to listen and care for others. One thing that I learnt is that it isn't always easy to spot those people who are in need of protection, who need that safe place to go. However, as soon as you start looking there are people all around you who just need someone to listen to them and help them feel safe.
Have a look around you today and see what help you can be. Some people's emergency calls will be loud and clear and some people's won't be so obvious.
Lord, help us to hear the shouts and the whispers of those in need and enable us to provide them with guidance and support to that safe place.
Written by Andy Haynes
Psalm 71:1-3
In you, Lord, is my protection. Never let me be ashamed.
Because you do what is right, save and rescue me; listen to me and save me.
Be my place of safety where I can always come.
Give the command to save me, because you are my rock and my strong, walled city.
I'm very conscious when I read verses like today's that in the life that I lead I am safe from harm and persecution. There are laws to protect me; there is a police force that makes sure my rights to safety are maintained. If I feel threatened an emergency call to 999 (or 112 or 911) will bring people to me to protect and save me.
As a police officer, I came into many situations where I met people who just wanted to feel safe. I often heard them say the words the psalmist has written "do what is right, save and rescue me; listen to me and save me. Be my place of safety where I can always come".
It broke my heart to see people in those situations, as there was only so much I could do. It broke it so much that I left the police to follow a career helping create those safe places for people to come to and to be there as a person who could listen to them.
Not all are called to directly to help such people, but we are all called to listen and care for others. One thing that I learnt is that it isn't always easy to spot those people who are in need of protection, who need that safe place to go. However, as soon as you start looking there are people all around you who just need someone to listen to them and help them feel safe.
Have a look around you today and see what help you can be. Some people's emergency calls will be loud and clear and some people's won't be so obvious.
Lord, help us to hear the shouts and the whispers of those in need and enable us to provide them with guidance and support to that safe place.
Written by Andy Haynes
