Have people ever reflected on a nearly impossible possibility: what if there were no God who created heaven and earth, no Lord who sustains the universe and all living creatures, yet everything still functioned well and in an orderly way? A stable, harmonious, even perfect order—without a divine Person behind it. Ironically, although such an idea makes no sense logically, most people live as though God truly did not exist.
Many claim to be religious, even to believe in God, yet their way of life does not reflect that confession. Life is lived without awareness of a Person who created, owns, and rules over all things. A world that has fallen into evil further shapes this kind of lifestyle, lowering the standard of holiness. It is therefore not surprising that only a few believers genuinely pursue a holy life, let alone perfection. Yet in the Old Testament, figures such as Joshua, Samuel, and Joseph displayed a very high level of obedience to God by the standards of their time.
Believers today are actually called even further—not merely to live well, but to live toward perfection. Confessing that God is the Creator of heaven and earth means acknowledging that He is a living Person, with will and purpose. He is not merely a religious concept, but Elohim Yahweh who reigns sovereignly. Human beings do not have the choice of whether to be born, nor can they choose the conditions of their birth. But they are free to choose whether to live according to God’s will and plan or to their own.
If humans had not fallen into sin, the earth would have remained in a perfect order. In such a condition, there would be no need to seek special protection, because the entire system of life would be secure, without rebellion and without the seed of sin. But reality is different. Humans’ falling into sin has made the need for God’s protection absolute. This is not because the order of God’s creation is flawed—since that order remains good and perfect—but because of the presence of an evil being who seeks to destroy humans and drag them into darkness. In this reality, human beings need divine protection.
Sadly, many people feel they have full rights over their own will, as though God did not exist. And even if they do believe, their confession is often not aligned with an attitude worthy of God. Misguided religious practices worsen this situation when churches promise that God will surely fulfill every human request. Troubled people are invited, prayed for, and given instant hope, as if God’s protection operates without order. Such an approach actually damages the understanding of divine justice and order.
The church should teach not merely how to ask for God’s protection, but how to live in a manner worthy of being under His protection. God’s protection is not automatic; it is closely related to a person’s way of life before Him.
First, human beings must acknowledge that everything they possess belongs to God. Life, time, money, possessions, and all resources are not personal property but are entrusted to us by God. When someone truly realizes that they are merely stewards, not owners, they live with an attitude of submission and responsibility. In such a condition, God’s protection becomes natural, because what is being protected is His own possession. Even if something must be taken away or lost, the heart remains at peace, because everything rests within God’s sovereignty.
Second, God’s protection does not eliminate human responsibility to protect themselves. Divine order works through the principle of cause and effect. Someone lazy in learning, fails to develop their potential, and neglects the responsibilities of life cannot blame God when they reap poverty or failure. What is sown will be reaped. This principle is part of God’s order and has never been revoked.
Third, human beings are called to take part in God’s project. Life unfolds within a universe that has a divine purpose. God did not create human beings without intent. Therefore, within the limited span of life—whether seventy years or more—human beings are called to do the Father’s will and complete the work entrusted to them. A life that is within God’s plan is the safest, because it stands precisely at the center of His will.