UNLESS THE LORD IS MY SAVIOR AND SHIELD, I CANNOT WIN THE WAR!

We dwell in the midst of a world ruled by evil, but those “who live and move and have their being in Christ” dwell under the divine protection of God. Our God knows and sees every destruction that satan purposes against man, and He uses that evil to teach righteousness to His children. When we acknowledge God in all of our ways, He turns the snares, stumbling blocks, and trials satan sends our way into victories for the kingdom of God and blessed lessons for His children. “They gather together against the life of the righteous, and condemn innocent blood. But the LORD has been my defense, and my God, the rock of my refuge” (Psalms 94:21-22).

God will use as “stepping stones,” for the children of God, all of the evil that surrounds them! He will use the evil as the consequences of sin to warn His children to obey His laws.  Instead of being stepped upon and crushed by satan, we will see “God’s overcoming power” lift us above our trials while He teaches and brings us  blessings. “That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit is dug for the wicked. For the LORD will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance” (Psalms 94:13-14).

When our foot slips, God’s mercy will hold us up! When our thoughts are filled with fear and dread, God will comfort our soul and give us perfect peace  all around us. We see the battle between good and evil.  As children of God, we wonder what God is going to do about all of satan’s work.  We ask the question: “Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, have fellowship with You?  They gather together against the life of the righteous, and condemn innocent blood” (Psalms 94:20-21). God’s word declares the end of the wicked. “But the LORD has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge. He has brought on them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; the LORD our God shall cut them off” (Psalms 94:22-23).   

The blood of Jesus is anathema to satan.  He knows those who  belong to Christ and those who don’t. Satan hates all of mankind and is only bent on its destruction.  However, the children of God have a hiding place in Christ. “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD” (Psalms 27:1-6).

Now is the time for us to make our calling and election from God sure. Why would anyone refuse a perfect love, and salvation that gives a new life to live and please God our judge? Through Christ we have the Spirit and power to  “be and do” all things that please God. If our names are written in God’s book of life, we will reside forever in God’s kingdom as heirs of all God’s promises and gifts. All we have to do is ask Christ to “forgive our sins” and give us a “new life”  dedicated to the honor of God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Through our invitation, Christ will take over our lives and set us free from our old sinful natures.  We then can live a life pleasing to God! Through the righteousness of the indwelling Spirit of Christ, we become a new creation dedicated to God’s plans and purposes. When Christ becomes Lord of our lives, all things become new, and we can have God-directed and blessed lives.  It is only through Christ that we can receive from our Father the rewards of silver, gold, and precious stones that cannot be burned at the judgment seat of Christ.

The hour is late on God’s time clock and we must prepare to meet Christ! We will either meet Him when He “comes” for the body of Christ or when He calls us  to face our eternal judgment.  The apostle Paul warns us that Christ is the only foundation we can build our lives upon.  “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ(1 Corinthians 3:11).

Paul then proceeds to warn us about the kind of foundation we lay. “Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work, which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).

For those who have not accepted Christ and are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (saved through Jesus Christ) there is total separation from God. “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

For the followers of Christ, the worthless things in our lives will be burned and not counted as worthy of reward. It is important to not only be ready to meet Him, but to make our lives count for God’s kingdom.  Paul pressed forward for the “prize” of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

The lives we are now living have an end, and then we stand before the judge of all creation. It is only through a life lived through the Spirit of Christ indwelling us that we can be good enough to please God.  The natural man is born to sin, but the spiritual man is born again with the nature of Christ to live for God’s glory. All eternal treasures reside in God the Father and Christ His only begotten Son.  The only worthwhile building blocks for our lives come from Christ and our heavenly Father. That is why we celebrate Christ’s birth.  Had He not died for us, we could never live for God and dwell eternally with Him in His perfect kingdom. Eternity will be filled with praise and worship for God.  As children of God, let our worship, praise, and thanksgiving begin now for His wonderful gift of Jesus Christ who died for our sins.  When our life begins in Christ, abundance, blessings, and protection begin to flow from  our Father.  We are enriched by our Father’s blessings and gifts. If it were not for God, we would be devoured by satan and leave no remembrance in this life or eternity.

The most “blessed place” in which to dwell is the presence of God.  The more we seek Him, the more He reveals Himself to us. Only children of God can dwell “in the secret place of the Most High and abide under the shelter of the Almighty.” “I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust’” (Psalm 9:2). “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.  Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked” (Psalms 91:4-8).

Let us pray: Dearest Lord Jesus, I come to You. Wash me and cleanse me and make me pure.  I want to live and die for You and my heavenly Father.  Enter my heart, guide me, convict me of my sin, and tell me when I am going astray. Help me to bring honor to You and my heavenly Father.  May I lay up treasures in heaven for Your glory. Direct my life according to Your plans and purposes.  Continually increase my love for You and for Your kingdom’s work.  May I honor You with my lips and the works of my hands. I want to please You and glorify my heavenly Father.  Thank You, for all of Your blessings and gifts.  I love and thank You for making me a child of God.  Lord, may I never dishonor You or my Father!  Amen.