Where Can We Find Protection?

How do you need protection today? Everywhere I go, people are talking of fear. It doesn’t matter if I’m at the grocery store, eating lunch with friends, at the pool visiting with other moms, or even at church; everyone is talking about being fearful of something. Protection is needed in many areas of our lives. We need protection from other people, ourselves, objects, sicknesses, and the devil. Protection is defined as preservation from injury or harm. When I was a child, I felt protected when I was with my parents. If I was scared at night, I went to their room. When I had a bad day at school, I couldn’t wait to get home and tell my mom all about it. My safety net was my family. Now that I have children of my own, I want more than anything to protect them. I keep my eyes on them at all times making sure they are not taken from me, they do not fall and hurt themselves, their hands are free from germs, and they are not abused or harmed by others. As we mature we immediately transfer from being protected to protecting others. But, no matter what stage of life we are in, we all need to feel protected and safe. We look at the world around us and can easily become full of fear for ourselves, our country, and Christians living in other nations. We are afraid of sicknesses, new medical practices, loss of control, and changes in our normal way of living. I think it’s clear to say we are all looking for some form of protection from the things that fear us.

“The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s
God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.” Exodus 15:2-3

Exodus 15 quotes a hymn that Moses and the Israelites sang celebrating God’s spectacular victory over the pharaoh and his army. The hymn focuses on God and how He protected the Israelites in their time of need. The name of God used here is the divine name Yahweh and encompasses the entire deity, Elohim. Yahweh is defined as the divine warrior and He fights on our behalf. Picture this, God is our King and He is leading His people into battle. God’s people do not enter a battle without Him leading them. He is a King that is always ready for battle. He never needs rest and never has something better to do. He’s always ready to protect.

I want us to go through several verses today that remind us that God is our defender, our stronghold, our leader, and our protector. It does not matter what you are fearing today, God is protecting you.

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense, he has become my salvation.”

Isaiah 12:2

We have to trust in the God who saves us from harm. We cannot be afraid in God’s presence, it simply isn’t possible. God is a mighty warrior but He is also a caring protector. When I am fearful, I love to picture God sitting on His massive throne and dressed in His vibrant white robe. His holiness is shining so brightly I can barely open my eyes. I crawl into His lap and He washes my fear away with the peace that only His presence can bring. By knowing that God is all powerful, all knowing, the supreme being, the perfect judge, and all present, we can trust that He is also all loving, all kind, all merciful, all understanding, and all sympathetic. When you put His power with His heart, then you have a God that cannot be beaten by anything that comes to harm you. Nothing can touch you because you are protected by the Most High God. Trust that and do not be afraid!

“In his defense Jesus said to them, ‘My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” John 5:17

Jesus was stating His defense when He was persecuted by the Jewish leaders for working on the Sabbath. He states that the divine Deity, God, Son, and Holy Spirit, never stop working. It doesn’t matter what day it is, what is going on in any part of the world, or who needs help at that moment, God is working for your good. Even when we cannot see God’s hands at work, He is working. We may think things have been placed on hold but things are never on hold with God. Work is always being done and it is being done in your defense. Our Mighty Warrior is always protecting and being just.

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:4-7

“Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God.” Pslam 84:3

Do not ever doubt that you are important to God. Jesus tells us right here in Luke 12 that you are seen and you are known. He knows what you are afraid of, what keeps you up at night, and how you are hurting. He knows all this and He is running to your defense. He is placing you in a safe place near Him and He will never leave your side. You are God’s most precious creation and He will always protect His people.

Jesus is also telling us that we should not be fearful of things in this world that can harm our bodies. Our bodies may be harmed but we are promised eternal life with Him. Now, He is not saying to not be cautious of earthly things and people and to not do what we need to stay out of harms way, Jesus is wanting us to focus more on our spiritual being and protecting our soul from the evil one and his army of demons. The Devil is always wanting us to stumble and to allow him into our thoughts and actions. The Devil knows we are protected by God and he thinks that if we stray from God just a little bit, he can weasel his way in and grab hold of us. Fear is one way that the Devil works his way into our lives. Our minds become full of fear and doubt and then we begin to make impulsive and dangerous choices. When we trust God as our protector, He is always on our thoughts, in our actions, and in our decision making process. Keep your mind on spiritual things not on earthly things.

Lastly, read Psalm 91. This is a glowing testimony to the security of those who trust in God. God does not promise us a life free from danger but He does promise that He will always be there to protect us. Verse 4 says that God will cover us with His feathers and under His wings we will find refuge. Never let go of that picture of God being your refuge. You are His child and you are being protected under your Father’s mighty wings. Trust in what He tells you to do. Have faith in His sovereign plan and remember that He is never early, never late, and never wrong.

Digging Deeper:

Where do you need protection today?

How do you see God protecting you in certain situations?

How can you grow in your trust that God is your protector and your defense?

What are steps you need to take in letting go of the fear that is holding you down?