He Himself will deliver you from the hunter’s net, from the destructive plague. He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield. (Psalm 91:3-4 HCSB)
Did you know that you are being hunted down every day? The Bible says that the devil is on the prowl, looking for anyone he can devour (1 Peter 5:8). Maybe you haven’t put two and two together yet, but when bad news, losses or failures have hit you by surprise, there was usually an intelligent force at work causing these things to happen just at that time, and with that level of intensity. When we’re not under the protection of the Most High, as the beginning of this chapter states, these many blessings aren’t available to us. We become sitting ducks for the enemy’s traps and snares.
Taking refuge under God’s wings is an active and bold choice to live by faith and not by sight. It’s not the cozy warm feeling that you get when reading the plaques or embroidered throw pillows emblazoned with this chapter that decorate many homes. It’s common for Christians to quote this passage and do the bare minimum in the way they live, pray or interact with God, and then they assume that He has to protect them. We are at war against demonic forces and we have a great God and protector. There is nothing passive about this teaching. We ought to do everything possible to make sure that we are hidden under those powerful wings.
Yet a fight against demons begins in our minds. Decide that no negative thought that you will be harmed or destroyed has any right to stay bouncing around in your head. You need to live each moment making courageous decisions based on the fact that you are protected, not on the fear that you are in danger – even if that means choosing to praise God in the middle of your storm. What if you have a big meeting with your boss coming up, or with a very difficult client? What if you have to attend a family gathering where people normally backstab and accuse each other? Don’t be fearful of any of that, boldly go forward, knowing that you are under the shadow of the Almighty. Act in that assurance. Sure, Satan is already trying to set his traps and tangle you up in his nets, but you have God’s promise: He will deliver you.
The Bible talks about various times when the devil tried to snare Jesus during His life here, but the Holy Spirit graciously kept Him out of every trap. One time the religious leaders in the synagogue were furious and wanted to stone Jesus to death, but He slipped through the crowd unseen and walked off. How could that happen? He was safe under the shadow of His Father. Read through the book of Acts and find many more incidents of the disciples being able to walk right out of prisons, shipwrecks, murderous crowds and unfair trials. Though they all did sacrifice their lives in the end, everything was done according to God’s will, and not the will of the devil. Let these verses give you great comfort and strength today. You are hidden and safe if you choose to live and act by a courageous faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment