Does God protect those who love him from physical harm?

Psalm 91:11He [the Lord] will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

Daniel 6:22“My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”

Sometimes God protects us and delivers us in miraculous ways in order to preserve us to continue to serve him. Given the dangerous nature of our fallen world, we have little idea just how active God is in protecting us continuously.

2 Corinthians 12:7So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

Sometimes, like the apostle Paul, we may experience devastating physical hardships and suffering. These are the times when our faith is put to the test, and we have to keep our eternal perspective.

Romans 5:3We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.

James 1:2-5Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

When God does not prevent suffering, he promises wisdom and strength through the Holy Spirit to endure through it. Enduring suffering may bring us closer to God than being spared from suffering.

Deuteronomy 30:20“You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. . . . And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land.”

Through his Word, God offers wisdom that helps us avoid needless peril. When we are careless or rash in our approach to life, we shouldn’t be surprised if the consequences of our choices include suffering.