A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson
“He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to Him.”—Proverbs 2:7-8 (NLT)
I was a young sailor stationed aboard the USS Midway (CV-41), an aircraft carrier. The ship was home ported in Yokosuka, Japan. The day when I came aboard, we left Yokosuka on an 8-month cruise that would take us to some exotic ports and to the cutting edge of an international crisis.
Our first liberty port was at Subic Bay in the Philippines. This was my first experience on a Western Pacific (WESTPAC) cruise. I had only been on the ship for eight days when we pulled in. There were about 3,500 people on the ship. I did not know many of them.
Our division was having a party at Shakey’s Pizza restaurant that was located about two miles from the pier where we were docked. When it was time to go, one of my shipmates and I decided to walk through the small city of Olongapo.
We exited the gate of the base and crossed the bridge over the Olongapo River. I was living my dream. I was walking down the street of a tropical city far away from home. There were vendors with heavily loaded wagons or stalls every few feet. Each vendor was clamoring for attention and dollars. There were lots of beautiful women around as well.
As we walked along, two American men stepped in front of me and my shipmate. One of them, the tallest one, looked angry and agitated. In his right hand he held an opened, straight razor. He yelled my name and with vile profanity said, “I will cut your throat right here!” He swung the razor at me. I blocked him and held his arm. My shipmate engaged but did not strike the other man. I held my assailant’s hand in the air above me. He did not move, and I did not strike him. We stood there staring at each other for what felt like a long time.
I knew that I was looking into the eyes of evil. Strangely, I had no fear. After what seemed like a long time, the man blinked and relaxed. I took the razor from him with my left hand and threw it to the ground. I said to him, “I don’t know you. Why would you do that?” He replied, “I don’t know.” I asked, “Are we all right?” He apologized and we moved on.
A few blocks from that spot, my shipmate stopped me and said, “What was that about back there?” I said, “I have no idea. But what you saw was God’s protection.” We went on to the pizza party. Afterward, we took a taxi back to the base. I tell this story so that you can have confidence that God does protect us from evils seen and unseen. The times when evil does overwhelm us or others, even if the onslaught is fatal, it is not final.
We are assured in Proverbs 2:7-8 that God is a shield for the saved, right doers. Romans 8:39 assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. So, go and live your life boldly today. God’s got you covered. He has already and does continually smile on you!
Let’s Pray: Dear God, thank you for giving us your grace, divine top cover, strength, discernment and salvation. As we go into the day and days to come, may we be blessed with confidence and security. Guide our steps and guard us and our families. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Song of Reflection: “God Has Smiled On Me” by Elaine Norwood. Listen here.
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Author Bio:
Chaplain Anderson is the Director Emeritus of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries for the North American Division. In this role, he was the friend, advocate and gatekeeper for the profession of chaplaincy among Adventist pastors.
He journeys with and guides clients, personal and corporate, as they define their goals and grow into their full potential.
His pastoral career began in the Allegheny East Conference where he was ordained.
Subsequently, he served in the Potomac Conference at the Sligo and Seabrook churches. His professional dream was to be a chaplain in the United States Navy. He got to live that dream and achieved the rank of Commander before retiring from Naval service in 2015 with 26 years of service.
Chaplain Anderson has earned four graduate degrees: He earned his Master of Divinity Degree was earned at the seminary at Andrews University. He earned a Master’s of Education from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Sacred Theology from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C.
Chaplain Anderson and his wife Debra have been married for 41 years. They have two healthy, saved and well-adjusted adult children who picked good spouses and delivered four grandchildren.
Adventures through traveling, reading, praying, preaching, teaching and writing are the avenues of ministry and self-care that define his now and his destiny.
You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address: psanderson75@gmail.com.
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