Our Defender

​Offense or Defense?
Sports fanatics and self-anointed, often pompous, over paid sports experts have debated ad nauseam whether offenses or defenses win athletic contests. As a college football fan, I really enjoy watching an explosive, high scoring offense. But I am of the persuasion that defenses can decide an athletic contest. Why? If the opposition cannot score, they cannot win!
Our current, anti-Christian leaning culture, fueled by demonic influence, deception, falsehood, lies, evil strategies, hatred, chaos, and violence leaves every day folks thinking about security and how to defend themselves and their loved ones. Law enforcement officers, security systems, pepper spray, legal conceal carry of firearms provide some measure of defense against our evil world.
The above will help us defend ourselves to a point. But is there someone or something that can defend us better than we could ever defend ourselves? Yes, there is.
When God defends His people, Satan and his horde of demonic hellions cannot score! The devil can never win when the Lord is our defender.
David writes in Psalm 28 that he was surrounded by evil. In verses 1-5 he vividly describes the attacks of evil men. After describing the pressure of persecution, he writes in verses 6-9:
“Blessed be the Lord because He has heard the voice of my supplication. The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in Him and I am helped.
 Therefore, my heart exults; and with my song I shall thank Him. The Lord is their strength and He is A SAVING DEFENSE to His anointed. Save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Be their shepherd also and carry them forever.”
Did you catch the phrase A SAVING DEFENSE? If jumped right off the page and hit a bullseye in my heart. Wow! God is a defender that saves His people from evil. When the enemy of our souls goes on offense, the Lord is right there to defend and save us from the evil one.  
Good news bulletin: today and everyday Christians always win in life because we have an invincible, impenetrable, immovable defender: ALMIGHTY GOD! This truth is worth shouting a Hallelujah or two to the Lord!!!
The Apostle Paul understood that God was a saving defense, his defender when he stood before men who were trying to take his life for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Read his word of testimony in II Timothy 4:16-18.
“At my first defense no one supported or stood with me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. BUT THE LORD STOOD WITH ME AND STRENGTHENED ME, in order that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I WAS DELIVERED OUT OF THE LION’S MOUTH.
The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely to the heavenly Kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Paul was completely, confidently and courageously persuaded that God stood with him before men to defend his life and ministry. No greater defense attorney than Jesus Christ!  
What an encouraging, comforting, strengthening word to young Timothy and all Christians. God stands with us, defending, supporting, protecting, sheltering, rescuing and delivering His servants who trust in Him! I say glory to that!
My friend, when you feel defenseless, you are not. If you believe in and trust Jesus, He is always your defense and defender. The Lord does not go to sleep on His watch. Twenty-four seven He protects and defends those who love Him with A SAVING DEFENSE.
 According to God’s Word, I am personally convinced I win in Him because He is my “saving defense”. In my Christian life I have experienced often firsthand how God saved the day when evil tried to take me out.
Thank you Lord for defending Steve Roll in the past, today and in the future!  
How about you? Do you look to the Lord or the world to defend you? Do you trust God or men to be your saving defense against the Evil one and evil men?
Why not pray right now to confess your trust in God to defend you. Turn away from the world’s feeble and failing attempts at defending itself without God. Make a definite decision. Choose daily to trust the Lord as YOUR SAVING DEFENSE!
You and I cannot lose life’s battles when God is our defender!
“Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; I take refuge in You.” Psalm 143:9
“Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me.” Psalm 142:6
“In Thee, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be ashamed; in Thy righteousness deliver me.” Psalm 31:1
“Let all who take refuge in Thee be glad. Let them sing for joy, and may you shelter (defend)them that those who love Your name may exalt in You.” Psalm 5:11
A Word For Your Week: Win big today in the game of faith with God as your defense.