Devotional
God's Promises - Protection
(Deuteronomy 31:6), "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
God’s Protection
Does God protect people today? Can we expect God to come to our rescue the way He did for those in the Bible? What can we do when our livelihood is threatened; when there’s family disharmony; health is in jeopardy, the loss of a loved one? Can we depend on God to help us or can we expect life to take its natural course?
These are real questions. Could it be that sometimes our perspective of God is determined by the answers to questions such as these? God wants us to love Him, but why? God wants us to be obedient to him? Is there any reason at all why we should serve God when it appears that bad things happen.
How can we believe that God will protect us regardless of our relationship with Him? Perhaps our fears are motivated by something else besides true love. Why can’t we call out to God and receive healing and deliverance? There may be some reasons or hindrance why we do not have those biblical experiences:
1. Do we have the right relationship with God?
2. Do we have a praying relationship?
3. Do we pray for God’s protection in everyday life?
4. Do we obey His words?
5. Do we adore and worship him?
6. Do we listen to God when He speaks to us?
7. Do we have a contrite heart – and ask God to forgive our offenses? And repent?
8. Do we know when God is speaking to us or are we too busy with our lives?
9. Do we listen and understand what God wants from us?
10. Do we call on God only in times of troubles?
11. Do we understand that sometimes God allows things that happens?
12. Do we truly believe and accept “God’s will” when revealed?
13. DO WE HAVE THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?
Many of the heroes mentioned in the bible, may have initially experienced fear, anxiety and worry of the unknown, defeat, rejection, imprisonment, death, loss and loneliness. By the divine protection of God, these heroes were saved and delivered according to God’s plan and purpose. But before their deeds, rescue and deliverance, they had a relationship with God; they listened and obeyed God’s instructions.
1. Moses reluctantly answered God’s call returning to Egypt (after 40 years of escape) and confront pharaoh with God’s command to free the Israelites. With the mighty and powerful acts by the will and purpose of God, the Israelites were protected by the plaques imposed on those who opposed God. By his obedience, truth and faith, Moses was able to lead God’s people out of bondage.
11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, or that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 And God said, “Surely I will be with you; and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you bring the people out of Egypt, you will serve God on this mountain” (Exodus 3:11-12).
2. David’s intense prayers to God (Psalms 5:1-12) as he flees to safety from his enemies – praying for protection in deliverance, abandonment, his fear of death; and for his sorrow for offending God, and is protected and becomes King of Judah.
3. Daniel refusing the Babylonian King Darius’ decree that no one could pray to any god or man except him was arrested and thrown into a lions' den. Daniel demonstrated a true love, devotion and worship to his one and only Father God. A mean of no escape from the lions’ snare with one purpose to destroy, Daniel was protected by the Hand of God. "My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." (Daniel 6:22, NIV)
In the New Testament, considered that the apostles felt fear, worry, defenseless when the Lord Jesus Christ was shackled, apprehended and taken away in a dust storm of hate and destruction – never to be seen again??? Foretold by Jesus, they ran for their lives, they did not know where to turn. “But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled” Matthew 26:56. Yet, because of their beloved devotion to Jesus Christ, they were divinely protected by the power of the Sovereign God. After witnessing the resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Spirit breathe life into them, the eleven disciples became our beloved apostles. They were protected through many trials spreading the gospel as they kept their focus on God and his promise of deliverance.
Against the grain, can you imagine Saul the most feared Roman who once despised and persecuted Christians, would ever fear the unknown? In the book of Acts 9:3-9, tells us that Saul was thrown to the ground, questioned by Jesus for us persecution and blinded for three days only to be divinely transformed into one of God’s most beloved and devoted apostles in the New Testament. By God’s will for his purpose and glory, a transformation begin in Saul –now named Paul, a renewing of the mind and change of heart took place. It is my belief that Paul received protection from self-destruction and eternal damnation.
One of our greatest fears is to be apart from God’s never-ending love. It is immobilizing, it can cause illness, crush your spirit, possess your thought life. It can be a major tool that the devil uses to control you. However, fear can be conquered through the Grace of God. Accepting God’s grace, one opens to his love, his assurance and his protection.
Walking in the Protection of God
Does God protect us in every situation? In one sense, we’ll never know how many times God actually protects us. In a world with free will to make our own choices, we can’t get around the fact that hardships await us—Jesus promised us as much. God did not promise that our lives would be without strife. After Adams and Eve’s fall from grace, sin found a home on earth. Some prophets did great things and experienced great things obeying and doing the will of God; still others experienced, to the contrary, tragedy. We see many times where God protected the people. But I believe that although some lives ended short, the legacy of their obedience and devotion to God is embedded in our hearts; Stephen, the first martyr in the New Testament, President Abraham Lincoln and Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., in our present day. (Matthew 5:9) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.
Do you know God? Have you contemplated the things He has done for you during the course of your life? He has a perfect will for us – this way is not our ways; sometimes surpassing our understanding. Bottom line, where is your trust, obedience and faith in Him regardless of the circumstance?
God provides protection – even when we’re not aware of the need
Protection against temptation – being secure in the word, he will not tempt us any more than we can handle
Protection from danger – through instruction and to be guarded – through prayer and preparation
Protection from sin – not to embellish in thought that will ultimately turn into sinful action; pray to avoid hate, greed, jealousy, covet, lust, dissention, disobedience, disrespect, etc.
The shield of protection, one must:
1. Focus on God; be assured of his presence in your life and situation
2. Be in constant a relationship with God, body, mind and spirit – whole being devoted to the love of God
3. Pray, embrace and meditate on his word daily for understanding, assurance, guidance and truth
4. Through prayer: this is your SOS, your alarm, your signal, your contact.
Praying for protection should be a normal exercise for faithful Christians. While God is present in our lives every day, we must ask him to regularly protect us from evil that exists on earth. Evil can present itself in all manners; Fear can even can work against you because it shows a lack of faith, worry is manifested, no room to rely on God, fear immobilize you; not to be able to think, to pray, to act – and also to the extent of sin.. The balance to overcome your feat is God, our Sovereign God, Maker of all Heaven and Earth – know all, see all, yesterday, today and forever! All he asks is for your faith and prayer to Him on a regular basis.
Declaration of God’s Protection
1. (Psalm 27:1 NLT), "The Lord is my light and my salvation---so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?"
2. (Romans 8:28) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
3. (Daniel 12:1) “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.
4. (Matthew 16:18) And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
5. (John 19:11) Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
6. (1Peter 2:9) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellency of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
7. (Revelations 12:9) And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
1. (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT) "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."
God is with Us
1. Psalm 23:4 NIV says, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
2. (Deuteronomy 31:6), "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
3. Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
4. Luke 12:32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
5. Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
6. (2Samuel 22:3-4) my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. 4 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
7. (1John 5:18) We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
8. (Psalm 138:7) Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.
God’s Protection from Evil
1. Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
2. Isaiah 54:17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.”
3. Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
4. Psalm 91:1-3 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
5. Psalm 121:7-8 The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. 8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
6. 2Timothy 4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
7. 2Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
