Preserved

<p>While I was clearing out the garden in preparation for spring planting, I pulled up a large clump of winter weeds . . . and leapt into the air! A venomous copperhead snake lay hidden in the undergrowth just below my hand&mdash;an inch lower and I would have grabbed it by mistake. I saw its colorful markings as soon as I lifted the clump; the rest of it was coiled in the weeds between my feet.</p> <p>When my feet hit the ground a few feet away, I thanked God I hadn&rsquo;t been bitten. And I wondered how many other times He had kept me from dangers I never knew were there.</p> <p>God watches over His people. Moses told the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land, &ldquo;The <smallcaps>Lord</smallcaps> himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged&rdquo; (Deuteronomy 31:8). They couldn&rsquo;t see God, but He was with them nonetheless.</p> <p>Sometimes difficult things happen that we may not understand, but can we also not wonder about the number of times God has preserved us without our ever being aware?</p> <p>God&rsquo;s Word reminds us that His perfect, providential care remains over His people every day. He is &ldquo;always&rdquo; with us (Matthew 28:20).</p>