I want as much pain-free living as possible. I bet you do too. Maybe that's why you and I gravitate toward pleasure and entertainment, comfort and filling.

Maybe that's why we yearn for power and control. Maybe that's why approval is so important to us. Maybe that's why victory and the pursuit of success consumes us.

However, along the way we discover that these things don't eliminate pain or truly insure our safety. Pursuing pleasure masks pain.

Gaining power and control doesn't automatically guarantee safety. Getting enough people to like us doesn't eliminate judgment. Wins don't make us immune to more attack.

Scripture offers a better way to insure our safety, to live securely. It's found in seeking this four-fold bundle:

SEEK OBEDIENCE: Do what God commands. It brings such great confidence, peace and safety. God honors the obedient.

SEEK RIGHTEOUSNESS: To pursue the Righteous One, Jesus, is to pursue true righteousness. Follow Him.

The self-righteous self-justify. There's no safety in that, just a life of insecurity. Only the Christ-made righteous will be safe in the end.

SEEK HUMILITY: The way up is down. Safe passage is found in humility. Humility allows us to grow. God saves the humble (Psalm 18:27).

SEEK THE LORD: To seek the LORD is to seek true safety. Safety and security are found in a Person way more than a circumstance.

Reflect: What are you seeking for safety? Do you feel secure in what you're seeking? How are you doing in the areas of humility and obedience?

Is Jesus your righteousness or are you seeking to claim your own instead? Are you seeking the LORD or just keeping Him at a manageable distance?

A prayer to consider: LORD, You are my rock and refuge, my strong tower, true safety. Under Your wings I'm secure. O Jesus, You are my righteousness. Through Your shed blood applied, I'm forever saved.

Help me see You as my treasured security and seek You above all other safety options. May I find great joy and peace in pursuing obedience and humility. It's You I seek afresh today. Amen.