Defenses Up
When I hear the words 'defenses up' I think of someone bracing themselves in a defensive, knee-jerk reaction against an attack. But I think Father wants us to have our defenses up in the confident pose of victorious warriors because we trust in Him.
This morning I read II Chronicles 32 - one of the places in scripture where King Hezekiah is discussed. He was a good leader according to the last verses of chapter 31:20-21 - This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.
Chapter 32 tells a story of how the king of Assyria came and attacked Judah but they didn't capture Jerusalem or defeat God's people because Hezekiah got his defenses up. The story is that when Hezekiah knew the attack was coming, he acted in character - like the verses above describe. He sought wise and godly counsel, laying out his plans for the defense of Jerusalem, enlisting people to carry it out, repairing every existing defensive barrier and building additional ones, building up his armaments and troops and rallying the people to encourage them and strengthen them by pointing to God and His trustworthiness. In doing these things he effectively cut off the enemy's supplies, created strong barriers, and prepared for offensive maneuvers.
This is what Hezekiah said to the people: 32: 7 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. 8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said. And then the enemy began the attack... not with weapons of war but with words written in letters, carried to the city walls, and read aloud in an effort to intimidate the people, causing fear and weakness, and hoping for surrender. (I suppose he and Hezekiah had never been on the playground when this was said: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.")
The king of Assyria attempted numerous times to discourage the people of Jerusalem with intimidating words that insulted their God and likened Him to the wooden gods of other nations. But the enemy was unsuccessful because Hezekiah had gotten his defenses up. The enemy's attack consisted of lies, deceit and pride but Hezekiah's defenses were up, the city fortified, the people strong, so Jerusalem's response to the attack was simple - it was prayer. The result was God giving them victory by wiping out the Assyrians and blessing His people. Then the people of Judah, living outside of Jerusalem, came from miles away to bring offerings of worship to God for the victory and to honor the king who got his defenses up.
This story reminded me of Psalm 27, my psalm of the month. Verse 3 says: Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. Do you think Hezekiah knew this psalm? He acted like he did when he got his defenses up. This psalm is all about seeking God, praying to Him, trusting Him, and knowing He will act on our behalf.
When the enemy attacks me, do I have my defenses up? Do I fear and raise my arms to cover my eyes or lash out like a blind boxer? Or am I confident? Do I cower behind broken walls? Or do I have a plan to repair the broken defenses, add new ones, build the armament, and stand firm, courageous and unwavering because of my God? How can I get my defenses up and keep them up so that the lies, deceit and intimidation of the enemy don't affect me or distract me or defeat me? Reading II Chronicles 32 and praying Psalm 27 would surely be a start. And practicing Ephesians 6:10-18 would be another - letting God and His words and His ways surround and protect and prepare and defend.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Father, help me get my defenses up. I will buckle the belt of truth around my waist so that when the lies come, I am prepared to dispel them. I want the breastplate of righteousness on me so that my heart and feelings are covered in Jesus Christ. And I choose to lace up the shoes of the gospel so that as I go out into the world I carry your message of perfect peace that conquers all things. I will lift high the shield of faith that will protect me from the things the enemy will throw at me. And I will confidently put on the helmet of salvation that guards my mind in Christ Jesus. Give me strength to offensively and precisely wield the sword of the Spirit - the word of my God - to go against every form of attack and to move forward in Your kingdom purposes by eliminating the enemy's strongholds. I will pray all the time, for myself and for all Your blessed ones, and we will all be encouraged by Your presence in our lives that keeps us alert and ready as we trust in You.
Are you feeling attacked or ready to win? Are you cowering or are you confident? Are your defenses up?
Amy
This morning I read II Chronicles 32 - one of the places in scripture where King Hezekiah is discussed. He was a good leader according to the last verses of chapter 31:20-21 - This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.
Chapter 32 tells a story of how the king of Assyria came and attacked Judah but they didn't capture Jerusalem or defeat God's people because Hezekiah got his defenses up. The story is that when Hezekiah knew the attack was coming, he acted in character - like the verses above describe. He sought wise and godly counsel, laying out his plans for the defense of Jerusalem, enlisting people to carry it out, repairing every existing defensive barrier and building additional ones, building up his armaments and troops and rallying the people to encourage them and strengthen them by pointing to God and His trustworthiness. In doing these things he effectively cut off the enemy's supplies, created strong barriers, and prepared for offensive maneuvers.
This is what Hezekiah said to the people: 32: 7 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. 8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said. And then the enemy began the attack... not with weapons of war but with words written in letters, carried to the city walls, and read aloud in an effort to intimidate the people, causing fear and weakness, and hoping for surrender. (I suppose he and Hezekiah had never been on the playground when this was said: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.")
The king of Assyria attempted numerous times to discourage the people of Jerusalem with intimidating words that insulted their God and likened Him to the wooden gods of other nations. But the enemy was unsuccessful because Hezekiah had gotten his defenses up. The enemy's attack consisted of lies, deceit and pride but Hezekiah's defenses were up, the city fortified, the people strong, so Jerusalem's response to the attack was simple - it was prayer. The result was God giving them victory by wiping out the Assyrians and blessing His people. Then the people of Judah, living outside of Jerusalem, came from miles away to bring offerings of worship to God for the victory and to honor the king who got his defenses up.
This story reminded me of Psalm 27, my psalm of the month. Verse 3 says: Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. Do you think Hezekiah knew this psalm? He acted like he did when he got his defenses up. This psalm is all about seeking God, praying to Him, trusting Him, and knowing He will act on our behalf.
When the enemy attacks me, do I have my defenses up? Do I fear and raise my arms to cover my eyes or lash out like a blind boxer? Or am I confident? Do I cower behind broken walls? Or do I have a plan to repair the broken defenses, add new ones, build the armament, and stand firm, courageous and unwavering because of my God? How can I get my defenses up and keep them up so that the lies, deceit and intimidation of the enemy don't affect me or distract me or defeat me? Reading II Chronicles 32 and praying Psalm 27 would surely be a start. And practicing Ephesians 6:10-18 would be another - letting God and His words and His ways surround and protect and prepare and defend.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Father, help me get my defenses up. I will buckle the belt of truth around my waist so that when the lies come, I am prepared to dispel them. I want the breastplate of righteousness on me so that my heart and feelings are covered in Jesus Christ. And I choose to lace up the shoes of the gospel so that as I go out into the world I carry your message of perfect peace that conquers all things. I will lift high the shield of faith that will protect me from the things the enemy will throw at me. And I will confidently put on the helmet of salvation that guards my mind in Christ Jesus. Give me strength to offensively and precisely wield the sword of the Spirit - the word of my God - to go against every form of attack and to move forward in Your kingdom purposes by eliminating the enemy's strongholds. I will pray all the time, for myself and for all Your blessed ones, and we will all be encouraged by Your presence in our lives that keeps us alert and ready as we trust in You.
Are you feeling attacked or ready to win? Are you cowering or are you confident? Are your defenses up?
Amy
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