My friend Kim had recently been surprised by an aggressive dog while jogging. Even though she wasn’t hurt, the experience was enough to prompt her to carry mace. When I was in town for a visit, we decided to go for an evening walk, including easily accessible mace.

Forty-five minutes into the walk, we heard a garage door open about a block ahead of us, and a dog began to bark. Whether he heard our footsteps or voices, he knew we were coming down the dark street, and he decided to guard his territory. We couldn’t see him well, but he sounded large and mean. We stopped, stood still and let the owner know we were nearby and wanted her to hold her dog. She seemed irritated and half-heartedly called the dog to her.

As he ignored her and moved toward us, we moved closer together and became statues…with the exception of Kim readying her mace and slipping behind me, beginning to relive the fear of her recent attack. She loudly told the owner we had mace. I quietly reassured Kim we’d be okay. We were both silent for a moment when Kim said, as she held the mace to the side of my head,

“I hope I have this pointed in the right direction.”

Me, too! Just when I thought I was protected from the dog, I realized my source of protection might not be as trustworthy as I assumed.

What do you rely on? Bank account? Job? Marriage? Retirement funds? Education? Family? Religion? Social position?

What happens when you discover what you thought would protect you might soon disintegrate? What happens when the source of your security could actually stop you in your tracks and debilitate you?

When we put trust in what we perceive will protect us instead of what, without doubt or failure, will protect us, we will eventually be disappointed or threatened.

God is always for you. That doesn’t mean everything in life will go smoothly. Mean dogs will bark and sometimes attack. Loved ones will die. You’ll experience inconveniences, frustrations, crises, and tragedies. But God knows which way the mace is pointing and has remarkable aim. Keep him close by, seeking him, knowing his Word and claiming his promises. He’s the promise that will never be compromised.

The Lord is my rock, my protection, my Savior. My God is my rock. I can run to him for safety. He is my shield and my saving strength, my defender. Psalm 18:2