Our Great Defense
Psalm 84:9-12 (TPT) God, your wraparound presence is our defense. In your kindness look upon the faces of your anointed ones. For just one day of intimacy with you is like a thousand days of joy rolled into one! I’d rather stand at the threshold in front of the Gate Beautiful, ready to go in and worship my God, than to live my life without you in the most beautiful palace of the wicked. For the Lord God is brighter than the brilliance of a sunrise! Wrapping himself around me like a shield, he is so generous with his gifts of grace and glory. Those who walk along his paths with integrity will never lack one thing they need, for he provides it all! O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what euphoria fills those who forever trust in you!
I have been meditating on these verses and I see so much of God's character and goodness. As I read the first line I see a girl under attack that is sitting, alone, afraid, and isolated. Her arms are around her knees as she places her head in her lap to cry, then I see this brilliant glow, this ball of protection completely envelope around her. It's like an invisible shield of protection against the enemy. Not everyone can see it but it's the presence of God protecting her, comforting her, blessing her, and defending her.
God then looks upon her face as she raises her head to stare at her Father and beloved Creator, in this moment she realizes nothing else really matters. The things people said about her, the sins of her past, the brokenness of heart… it's all forgotten as she sits at His feet, enjoying His warmth and indescribable love. Time seems to stop. She's filled with joy unspeakable.
She realizes that all of the most beautiful places on the earth, cannot compare to the throne room of Heaven. His brilliance is greater than anything she has ever seen. She learns of His way by spending this precious time with Him. She understands that following God's path with integrity (the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles) guarantees her provision. She becomes overwhelmed by the outpouring of His Spirit.
This is the God we serve! Indescribable, uncontainable, awesome, matchless, worthy, glorious, beautiful, wonderful, our strong-tower, our firm foundation, faithful + true, perfect, amazing, our refuge + strength, Jehovah Jireh, almighty, all-powerful, an all consuming fire! Our defender. His name is Jesus!
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