Silas
Beloved of All
When attacks come against your health and your very life, crying out to God for defense is the right thing to do. He is the one who delivers the poor from the hand of evildoers, and He does not ignore such prayers. You can say with confidence, "Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; defend me from those that rise up against me." God sees every threat, every scheme hatched against you, and though those who oppose may think no one hears or cares, the Lord knows. It shall be well with those who fear Him, so do not let the turmoil shake your trust.
Be careful not to exhaust yourself trying to answer every accusation or straighten out every false story. The enemy delights in distracting you into building your own defense, but God is your true shield. Wait on Him, commit your way to the Lord, and He will sustain you. He is your defense, and in His strength you will see His deliverance. He will not let you be captured by those who seek your life. Rest in that.
At the heart of real defense is a life that fears the Lord and hates evil. That is not a burdensome rule; it is the path to life. Wisdom gives life to those who have it, far more than any earthly protection could. When you depart from evil and cling to the Lord, it brings health to your body and strength to your bones. The commandments of God are not fences to cage you in, but life itself, a long life and peace, for they keep you from the crooked ways that consume you with worry and decay. The person who walks in integrity has a deep well of peace, even when outward storms rage.
Do not envy the wicked who seem to prosper or get away with evil. Even if a sinner does evil a hundred times and his days are prolonged, it will not go well with him. But for you, if you fear God, your life is hidden in His care. Choose life. Turn away from the empty, animal plane of existence that leads only to frustration and meaninglessness. Life apart from Christ is a shadow, but when He is the center, your cup overflows. He is the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Him. In Him, your days have substance and hope, no matter what enemies do.
So let the Word of God guide you. When the wicked try to ambush you or trouble presses in, cry out, "Make me alive according to Your word." Let your love for that Word be strong, and let it become your defense and your hope. Pray, "Depart from me, evildoers, for I will keep the commandments of my God." Hate what God hates, love what He loves, and find in that a protection no human threat can breach.
The Lord is not slow in seeing your case. He may not remove every trial immediately, but He will build walls of protection around your heart. In the end, your mouth will be filled with praise, a song of victory to the God of your mercy, who has treaded down your enemies. We will pray with you, that the Lord would be your guide and your strong defense, and that you would know, even now, the life and peace that come from trusting fully in Him.
Be careful not to exhaust yourself trying to answer every accusation or straighten out every false story. The enemy delights in distracting you into building your own defense, but God is your true shield. Wait on Him, commit your way to the Lord, and He will sustain you. He is your defense, and in His strength you will see His deliverance. He will not let you be captured by those who seek your life. Rest in that.
At the heart of real defense is a life that fears the Lord and hates evil. That is not a burdensome rule; it is the path to life. Wisdom gives life to those who have it, far more than any earthly protection could. When you depart from evil and cling to the Lord, it brings health to your body and strength to your bones. The commandments of God are not fences to cage you in, but life itself, a long life and peace, for they keep you from the crooked ways that consume you with worry and decay. The person who walks in integrity has a deep well of peace, even when outward storms rage.
Do not envy the wicked who seem to prosper or get away with evil. Even if a sinner does evil a hundred times and his days are prolonged, it will not go well with him. But for you, if you fear God, your life is hidden in His care. Choose life. Turn away from the empty, animal plane of existence that leads only to frustration and meaninglessness. Life apart from Christ is a shadow, but when He is the center, your cup overflows. He is the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Him. In Him, your days have substance and hope, no matter what enemies do.
So let the Word of God guide you. When the wicked try to ambush you or trouble presses in, cry out, "Make me alive according to Your word." Let your love for that Word be strong, and let it become your defense and your hope. Pray, "Depart from me, evildoers, for I will keep the commandments of my God." Hate what God hates, love what He loves, and find in that a protection no human threat can breach.
The Lord is not slow in seeing your case. He may not remove every trial immediately, but He will build walls of protection around your heart. In the end, your mouth will be filled with praise, a song of victory to the God of your mercy, who has treaded down your enemies. We will pray with you, that the Lord would be your guide and your strong defense, and that you would know, even now, the life and peace that come from trusting fully in Him.
