Day 9: Our Defender
The Israelites were a bit rocky when it came to faith. They would continuously walk through seasons of deliverance where God provided freedom for them from their enemies. Yet, they would wander back to their sinful ways shortly after. There is something valuable that we can learn about God’s nature from His response to the distracted Israelites that will help us as we strive to live in community. In one specific story, God called an Israelite named Gideon to be a mighty warrior. God gave him instructions on how to defeat the Israelites’ enemies. He gave an exact number of men to use for the army. Though Gideon trusted God, the small number given was nerve-wracking. But God wanted to make it painstakingly clear that He was the true source of victory in battle. He was the strong defender of His people.
Read Judges 7, Jeremiah 50:33-34, Romans 12:18
In Jeremiah 50, we read the words that God spoke to His prophet, Jeremiah, regarding His chosen people. In the midst of Israel being overwhelmed by their enemies, God promises to be their defender. Humans are defensive in nature. Sometimes this breaks the unity the church is called to live in. We get distracted defending our opinions, actions, or faith. Or maybe we are tempted to clear our good name when being falsely spoken of. Defensiveness has the ability to be divisive in community. God is our defender. We get to rest in knowing that we are His. He understands our intentions more than anyone, including ourselves. Jesus was spoken poorly of all the time. His confidence didn’t come from fighting for himself, but rather from resting in the fact that God was His Father. He would defend His child when it mattered. There is freedom in releasing offenses to God and moving on. Rather than being quick to defend, let us be marked by being lovers of people and givers of gracious peace in our conversations. This is the freedom we have with God as our defender!
Questions to consider:
Do I bring unity and peace in my conversations or am I worried about my own defense? What areas do I need to release control to God and walk forward from?
Prayer:
Lord, let my heart be unoffended. Help me to have discernment when it comes to defense. Help me to see when to speak and when to listen. Thank you that you are my true defender. Help me to be a source of your love, joy, and peace in my community.
By Brittany Basso