With the world as crazy as it is today, it’s tempting to feel like hiding out on the farm, relocating to a deserted island, or holing up in a dark cave deep within the mountains, safe in your own little bubble, and having nothing to do with anyone or anything on the outside. Appealing as it may sound, let me remind you of the people in Laish, found in Judges 18:7-28.

The inhabitants of Laish lived in their own little place of safety – in a “quiet and unsuspecting” place, having dealings with no one. In other words, they were in their comfort zone, fully content keeping to themselves. Every need they had was met; they lacked nothing. Life was good in their bubble.

Living life in our comfort zone can oftentimes cause us to relax so much that we drop our guard. I believe this is what happened with the people of Laish. They weren’t expecting any sort of attack; they were living a life of peace and luxury, believing they were safe. In actuality, we see that Laish was an easy target; they were sitting ducks. It says in verse 28 that there was no deliverer because they had no dealings with anyone. Not one person came to their aid in their time of trouble.

Many people in this day and age keep to themselves, believing they don’t need anyone. They are focused inward on themselves, and oblivious to the needs of those around them. Many also believe the lie that never engaging in battle will keep them safe. Long forgotten are Jesus’s words, spoken in Matthew 16:25 that say, “whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Certain topics are actively avoided, the Word of God is altered in such a way that it has no effect upon the one hearing it, folks are trying to eliminate offense at every corner, and the world is trying to create one giant, evil utopia, according to their own erroneous standards.

People are continually striving to save their own lives. I’ve had people “advise” me that in the end times, the most dangerous place to be is within the city. The reasoning behind their thinking is, “If a terrorist strikes, they’ll strike the place with the highest population first.” What these people fail to understand is, that God will actively move His people to such places in order to protect others. Following the leading of the Holy Spirit will ultimately lead you into a place of safety. The storms may rage all around you, but you will not be touched.

Two of the most dangerous places to be are in a place of isolation, and out of the will of God.

As I stated before, Judges 18:28 tells us there was no one to deliver Laish from attack because it was far away from Sidon, and because Laish had no dealings with anyone. The people of Laish lived in isolation.

One of the famous quotes I hear on a regular basis is, “We are not an island unto ourselves,” meaning we need each other.  We were created as part of a whole; part of the body of Christ. The body doesn’t work as it should when parts are disconnected and trying to function on their own. Think of what a struggle it is, trying to do something one handed, unless the other hand is allowed to come alongside and help.  When we are in relationship with others, and we see the enemy advancing, we can band together as one and stop him dead in his tracks. There are times in which other people possess that one piece of information that could ultimately cause breakthrough in our lives. We may be facing an issue that another had already been through, and their experience can help point us in the right direction.

I understand it’s tempting to stay in our comfort zones as the nations rage, but staying in our comfort zone is never the answer. God regularly requires us to step out of our place of comfort in order to bring us into a fruitful place filled with blessings. By not obeying His voice when He calls us out, we are being disobedient and we remove ourselves from under His umbrella of protection; we are making a bold statement that we know better than He does, and that we don’t trust the Lord with the life He has given to us. I’ve said this hundreds of times, but it still remains true – the safest place to be is within the will of God. Within the center of God’s will is where we find our protection and provision.

On a final note, we should always be ready for battle, fully clothed in our God-given armor, listening intently for the directives of the Lord, and ready to move when the Spirit moves.  We need the watchmen positioned at the gates, ready to alert us to what’s coming so we are ready to respond accordingly. Yes, we have eyes to see, but there are times we miss it an need another set of eyes that have the ability to see what we’ve missed, or overlooked; I think it’s safe to say we all have our blind spots.

In this life we will have trouble, but take heart! Jesus has overcome the world.