MULTIDIMENSIONAL PROTECTION IN GOD

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” – Psalm 18: 2

The divine portion of every Believer is MULTIDIMENSIONAL PROTECTION IN GOD: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psa.18:2). Yesterday we saw from 2 Samuel 22, how precise and PERSONAL God’s Protection can be for everyone who trusts in Him. He can tailor-make His protection to meet our varied situations. Even more amazing is the multi-dimensionality of divine protection. God can be to us the rock, fortress, deliverer, strength, shield, horn of salvation, and stronghold!

David began with an exultant declaration in response to great triumph. He expressed his love for God who ensured abiding protection and unceasing security: “I WILL LOVE YOU, O LORD…” (v.1a). His was not a fickle feeling or sentimental emotion, but active love. David was taken from the sheepfold and anointed the future king of Israel. He lived the next two decades as a fugitive, who lost virtually everything. He lost his youth, career, comforts, safety, family, rights, and at times, his connection with God’s covenant people. Despite all, he remained devoted to the Lord who saw him through, and in His timing, fulfilled the covenant promises to His anointed.

David said, “I will love You” to the God who protected, defended, and delivered him; not only for rescuing him from trouble, but for all God did in and through the trials to make him what he was. He wasn't bitter against God, but grateful that the years of trials had produced something valuable and virtuous in him. David praised God exuberantly using multiple titles, describing the LORD as his strength, rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, horn, and stronghold. In these titles, we comprehend how David saw His God. We do well to prophetically personalise these to our lives:

The Lord is My Strength: He enables and empowers me to survive against all oppositions and overcome all enemies.

The Lord is My Rock: He is my Covering and Shade, Shelter and Safety, Source of Refreshing, secure Standing, and firm Foundation. In Him I am secure from all dangers; on Him I build my hopes of earthly fulfilment and eternal attainment.

The Lord is My Fortress: He is my Garrison, place of strength, safety, and refuge. I can say with David: “For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name's sake, lead me and guide me” (Psa.31:3). Again, “Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me; for You are my rock and my fortress” (Psa.71:3).

The Lord is My Deliverer: He is the One who makes a way of escape for me from danger and destruction. He delivers me from all temptations and afflictions; and out of the snare of fowlers (Psa.91:3). He is “My lovingkindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and the One in whom I take refuge…” (Psa.144:2).

The Lord is My Shield: The God of Abraham is my God. He told the Patriarch: “Fear not, Abram: I am Your shield, Your exceedingly great reward” (Gen.15:1b). God is my Buckler and Defender. He defends both my head and my heart from the fiery darts of the wicked, and protects and preserves me from every adversity.

The Lord is the Horn of My Salvation: The Horn signifies authority or dominion. My Horn pushes, scatters, and destroys all enemies in order to actualise my deliverance and salvation: “And has raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David” (Lk.1:69).

The Lord is My Stronghold: He is my high tower of refuge. Standing on Him gives me an elevated Vision of the enemy from a vantage point and protection from the adversary. Elevated in Him makes me so high as to be out of danger. He places me above and out of the reach of all evil and harm (Isa.33:16). Jehovah saves me from violence (2Sam.22:3).