Our God with us, Our God for us

Dearly beloved, I trust this finds you well and bubbling in the Lord. We thank God because He is with us, and He is for us. Isaiah 31v4-5 (NLT) says “But this is what the LORD has told me: “When a strong young lion stands growling over a sheep it has killed, it is not frightened by the shouts and noise of a whole crowd of shepherds. In the same way, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will come down and fight on Mount Zion. The LORD of Heaven’s Armies will hover over Jerusalem and protect it like a bird protecting its nest. He will defend and save the city; He will pass over it and rescue it.”

What a strong and powerful image this is of how the LORD of Heaven’s Armies watches and jealously guards His own. Indeed, He is our shield and impenetrable fortress. The beginning of the chapter says “What sorrow awaits those who look to Egypt for help, trusting their horses, chariots, and charioteers and depending on the strength of human armies instead of looking to the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. In His wisdom, the LORD will send great disaster; He will not change His mind. He will rise against the wicked and against their helpers. For these Egyptians are mere humans not God! Their horses are puny flesh, not mighty spirits! When the LORD raises His fist against them, those who help will stumble and those being helped will fall. They will all fall down and die together.” Isaiah 31v1-3 (NLT).

Interestingly, there is a parallel to be drawn about living the life of the Spirit. Galatians 3v2-4 (NLT) says “Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?” The Spirit of God has been given to every believer. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth and helps us to live a victorious Christian life. Romans 8v12-13 (NLT) says “Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.”

Prayer

Father, I thank You for Your Word and how You jealously guard Your own. We thank You for we know that You are our help indeed. Holy Spirit of God, we need You. We need You O Lord. If we rely on our selves, on our strength, or others, we will die. We need You to live a victorious Christian life. We need Your leading, Your comfort, Your help, Your advocacy, Your strength, Your intercession, and for You to stand by us. Help us O God. We need You Lord. Forgive every time we have relied on man. We look up to You O God, in Jesus name we pray, amen.