Greetings from Brescia, Italy. My name is Lina Cozzolino. My husband and I serve as overseers for the Churches of God in Italy for many years. Today I want to share a thought of God’s love and protection.

Psalm46 is a beautiful Psalm written by David celebrating God, because he is a safe haven and protection for believers of all times.

The whole earth is in turmoil. For some time now mankind in general no longer feels safe because of the virus of the century that is killing without sparing anyone, even touching Christians. It is a plague that science itself cannot control and stop. Every creature trembles at what is happening, because seemingly, man has lost control.

Control and safety is something that every person on earth believes they have. We feel safe when it comes to our own health because we can get medicine and then believe that nothing will ever happen to us.

Many may also have a nice bank account for safety. People buy a home and make it safe like a bunker for earthquakes or other disasters. They might put cameras on every corner of the house with an alarm at the slightest movement all for safety reasons.

Perhaps the children are grown and have a very productive job. Even the owner of the house has important friendships and great favor. Trusted friends and the politician have good reputations.

Men sometimes take younger wives so that she will always be beautiful and will never grow old, or ladies take the handsome, rich and perfect husband for a happy life.

Everyone organizes his life for earthly guarantees. But ladies, they are all illusions. We cannot deceive ourself. The Bible has a very precise definition for these kind of people who have built their whole lives on earthly securities: fools. So we must be wiser. When we are without God nothing turns out the way we think.

Our world, with all its advances in education, technology and science, is no safer today than it was thousands of years ago. Anything can happen, at any time; and there is no security if we are not placed in the hands of the One who holds eternity. He has control of all things. His name is Jesus.

We must turn to Him. Only when we seek God can we find rest for our soul. The psalmist writes: “Be calm and know that I am God.

(Psalm 46:10)
The Bible says: “Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we stand up and stand firm. (Psalm 27:7-8).

God is waiting to hear us invoke Him; and if we call, He will answer.
When we are secure in God, we do not need the security of other things. God is in control and sits firmly on His throne. That is why we can say, “God is our refuge and our strength, a helper always ready to help in difficulties. Therefore, we will not be afraid, even if the earth yields and the mountains fall into the depths of the sea (46:1-2).

Our security comes from our faith in God and not from circumstances: “The Almighty Lord is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (46:7:11).

Our faith lies in knowing that God is omnipresent. We have hope and security because we know that the Lord is always with us. We can depend on Him and we are aware that our trust should not be in the security that the world offers us, but only in Jesus Christ, our friend and savior. We must ask Him to help us. We need a strong faith in the midst of a world full of dangers and problems. We will continue to trust that God is with us because His presence will give us peace and joy, no matter what happens.

John 14:27 reminds us that Jesus has left us His peace, not like that of the world which is momentary and transient.

People who seem to have everything on this earth are consumed by worries and fears of losing something. There are those in our world who live in difficult and dangerous places, but have put their faith and hope in God. A man named Job in the Bible lost everything, but put his faith and hope in God. He was shaken but did not give in. The Bible still reminds us that those who trust in the Lord are like the mountain of Zion, which cannot be shaken but lasts forever.
(Psalm 125:1)

Jesus himself said that the world is full of problems. Ladies, we can take courage because He has overcome it. Problems and adversities should not frighten or shake us to lose our confidence in Jesus because He who is with us is stronger. Our courage must not come because we are strong, but because He who is with us is stronger. He rules with power.

We are safe in a dangerous world because He who loves us, is with us.

Our safety is in eternity and not in the present because this world is not our home. If we look at the present circumstances, we will be shaken, but if we are rooted in the Word of God and the promise of heaven, we will be firm and no one can ever take it away from us (1 Corinthians 16:13).

Isaiah 26:3 completes: “To him who is firm in his feelings you keep him in perfect peace, because he trusts in you”.

Thank you Lord!

My prayer for you:
May his blessing, the protection of the Lord, reign over your lives and your families, bringing healing in the name above all other names, the victorious Jesus!

I send you my love.
Lina