A Wall Of Protection

Last week was a particularly bad week. I know of 3 people in my life that are hurting. Just plain hurting. Their hearts are being torn from their chests I don't doubt. One of these friends, I don't even keep in regular contact with but has a room in my heart. I prayed for these friends. I hurt for them. Whether they knew or not, I did. My own personal problems were crashing around me at the same time. Another house deal that was just steps away from closing fell through. I just didn't know how much more my heart could handle. Then I read my daily devo. When God praised Job for his integrity, Satan replied, "You have always put a wall of protection around him....take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you." So God gave Satan permission to test Job, but He placed limits on how far he could go. (See Job 2:6) There are times "When the enemy comes in like a flood" (Isa 59:19) to attack your mind, your marriage, your ministry, and anything that's born of God in your life. When that happens, Isaiah says, "The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard [shield] against him." When you feel you're at a breaking point and can't handle one more thing, the Holy Spirit lifts up the wall of the blood of Jesus and tells Satan, "This far and no further!" Paul says, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed" (2Co 4:8-9) There's a wall of protection around you. There's also a time for your deliverance. "In the time of my favor I hear you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." (2Cor. 6:2) God will step in and intervene. The Psalmist said, "When my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (Ps 61:2) When your resources are depleted and you think you're going under for the last time, God has provided a refuge that's higher than your circumstances, a place where you're under divine protection and the enemy has no jurisdiction. All you have to do is lift your eyes toward heaven. What a comfort it is that we can lift our eyes toward Heaven. The Maker of Heaven and Earth. He knows us inside and out better than anyone. He knows my inner struggles. He knows my deepest fears, desires, and temptations. When my heart is faint, Lead me, Father God to the rock that is higher than I.