1-12-2016

        Good Morning All!!   

        Nehemiah 4:9; “And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.”

    A guard for protection; that is what many people seek.  If you are a football fan, you probably know that the quarterback, on average is the highest paid player on the team.  Did you know that, on average, the second highest paid player is the left tackle on the offensive line?  This is the position that does the most to protect the quarterback when he passes since it is usually his “blindside.”  The “blindside” is the side that you do not see as well; for a right-handed quarterback his body is turned in way so the left side is hard to see.  Teams may pay the quarterback a ton of money but they pay the guy most responsible for protecting him almost as much.

    One of the more respected jobs in the government is the secret service.  These are men and women trained to jump in front of whoever they are protecting and be willing to be shot or stabbed or whatever in order to protect the President, his family or the Vice President or his family and so on.  We place a high value on protection.

    Earlier this winter, Zaevion William Dobson, a15 yr. old football player at a Knoxville high school, was killed in what local police said was a random shooting, apparently by gang members.  Law enforcement said Dobson died as he shielded three girls as gunshots rang out on a city block. The girls all survived, authorities said.  We all lauded and praised this selfless young man for protecting three girls, giving his life for theirs.

    This is what the Holy Spirit does for us; he takes the shots aimed at us.  He takes the blows so we do not have to be assaulted by the devil and his cronies.  He is on guard as protection for us.  When the devil attempts to cause us to fear or worry, when they devil wants us to doubt or deny; the Holy Spirit is there for us.  He reminds us of all that God has done for us and then he gives us the power, the will, to believe in those promises from God.  The Holy Spirit intercedes for us to the Father.  He pleads for us to receive God’s mercy and for an end to our torments or fears.  The Holy Spirit bolsters our weak legs to stand firm in the auspicious shadow of God’s gracious arms.

    We are protected; we are shielded from the withering attacks of the devil.  He will throw all he has at us but the devil will fail, we have the victory in Christ.  We will pass through all tests, all fires and all fears as long as we remain safe within the protection of God’s all availing love poured out upon us through the sacrifice of Jesus.

Merciful Father, in your loving arms we find safety and protection.  In your grace we are safe.  Keep us mindful of your wondrous love.  Calm our hearts and still our spirit that we may have rest in your blessed peace.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret