"The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever." Psalms 121:7-8
Nothing in this world compares with the promises of God. They are secured by His strength, and sustained by His sovereign will.
With unbridled audacity, The Psalmist praises God's capacity to protect His children from "all evil." This is not an ambivalent platitude, but an unconditional declaration.
If the author had been anyone other than David, these words might be considered delusional pap, motivational mumbo jumbo or at best ministerial license. They are the truth, "from this time forth and forever."
David knew what it was like to be in harm's way, from man and beast. He had not seen all the evil in the world, but all the evil he had seen didn't blind him from seeing God's hand of protection from "all evil."
David's vision always improved when he "inquired of the LORD" before, during and after fighting with evil. Yours will too. Rushing in where angel's fear to tread does not feed your faith. It only intensifies your fear. When David's heart started drifting from God, he stopped inquiring of God. It never ended well for him. Don't expect it to end well for you.
David's was not a man of peace. His life had been filled with the war between good and evil. Sometimes the battle came at him with the face of a friend or one of his family members. Sometimes he had to face down entire armies.
David's greatest conflicts would always be waged on the battlefield of his heart. This is where the enemy is most subtle, and you are the most vulnerable. Protect your heart. Place it in God's hands and stay by His side.
Warning: When you lose your heart for prayer, it is flashing light on the dashboard of your life that you are losing your heart for God. Pray now or pay later.
Evil is relentless, but not limitless. All evil is designed and driven by an ancient enemy. God knows the tactics, resources, and the limits of this enemy. Your fear magnifies the enemy's strength. Your faith shrinks its power over you. Prayer starves your fear and feeds your faith.
Running from God and facing evil in your own strength is a recipe for disaster. Prayer turns retreating warriors into trusting worshipers. This song of praise declares the hedge of protection God's character provides for His sheep. Stop watching the enemy. Maintain eye contact with The Protector.
Prayer is not a plastic pocket protector that you place over your heart to guard you from "all evil." It is not symbolic or optional. It is essential, intimate and intense communication with The Protector. In the face of "all evil," seek His face. Pray early and often. The battle is the Lord's, but prayer enables you to see Him at work on your behalf dealing with "all evil."
David's battle scars were a road map to God. They reminded him that the safest place in the world was under the protective, shepherding hand of God. Sheep wander. Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice." When you face evil, listen to Jesus. He will always call you to prayer.
NOTE TO SELF: Don't be deceived. God's protection from "all evil" does not offer you an immunization from evil. It is a reminder of the offer of His protection in the battle against evil. God intends for you to confront evil. When you walk by His side, you can expect a fight!
TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!