The Fencing

UV 2096/10000 The Fencing
He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
Psalm 18 v 48

The Lord is our fence and defence against all offence. He is a wall of protection. The Lord delivers us from a variety of enemies, spiritual and temporal, invisible and human. He delivers us from accidents and disasters. He delivers us from the weapons of the violent. He delivers us from our fears and apprehensions. He delivers us from temptations and trials. He elevates us above the schemes and devices of the wicked. His means of deliverance also are varied, unique and a testimony in itself.
Recent archaeological discovery has found a huge number of skeletons, chariot wheels and weapons lying buried in the bed of the Red Sea giving evidence of the drowning of the mighty Egyptian army that pursued the hapless Jewish people led by Moses. Thereafter, the Lord enabled Joshua to provide leadership and to defeat 31 kings on the way to the promised land. Similarly, the Lord defeats or delivers us from 31 kings, implying persons and forces more powerful and formidable than we can face of handle on our own strength. The spiritual enemy of all human beings stimulates or provokes our rivals, adversaries or foes to oppose or to openly attack us. As we take refuge in the Lord, He acts as our shield and saviour. On the contrary, by giving in to our fears, by our utterances, we give permission for the enemy to attack us in a variety of ways.
People in position and power oppose even the noblest of projects. They are often motivated by envy, jealousy or hatred. It is evident even in the relations between governments and nations. When Nehemiah mustered the resources and people of Jerusalem to re-build the walls of the city, they were opposed by Sanballat and a few others. Nehemiah posted scouts and guards to look out for any enemy attack. He asked the people building the walls to also carry their swords to defend themselves. The Lord delivered Daniel and his friends from the jaws of death in the lion’s den. Likewise, He is able to save us from the jaws of death. Affirming our faith in Jesus is like holding our shield of defence aloft to save us from some otherwise lethal blows. Claiming the promises of protection is another way to hold the shield of faith all round us to thwart the designs of the enemy and protect ourselves from the fiery arrows shot at us.
Prateep V Philip