I suppose it is due to election season that I have had the
presidential oath of office running through my mind lately. It says in part “I…
will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution
of the United States.” Leaving politics aside, those are interesting verbs to
hang your hat on. While a person may attempt to do those things to the best of
their ability, God can and will preserve, protect, and defend His people
according to His perfect will and ability. The Psalms in particular highlight
these roles of God.
- Psalm 37:28- “For the Lord loves justice; He will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.”
- Psalm 145:20- “The Lord preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.”
- Psalm 68:5- “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in His holy habitation.”
- Psalm 91:14- “Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows My name.”
- Psalm 4:8- “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
That is much more encouraging than any human oath could ever
be. His protection may not look quite like we may think, but it will always be
the best way.
God’s authority and ability can also guide the way we pray.
A couple verses have been part of my prayers recently:
- Psalm 119:133- “Keep steady my steps according to Your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.”
- Psalm 141:3- “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!”
It has been my experience that praying for God’s protection
from temptation is far more effective than praying for deliverance once
temptation is at the door. It’s a bit like keeping a car on the road rather
than trying to correct once you’re already off the road. There are no promises
of protection for those who willfully turn away from God’s guidance.
I’m reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6, and it seems to me that a
large part of the trusting in, leaning on, and acknowledging the Lord is an
ongoing awareness of how desperately we need Him to preserve, protect, and
defend us. We can so quickly turn away from His paths when we trust in our own
strength and knowledge. Going back to the driving metaphor, an intoxicated
driver doesn’t even realize how badly he is driving. He thinks he is fine. God
watches us weaving back and forth and He waits for us to realize how far off
the road we’ve gotten into temptation and sin.
This awareness has definitely changed the way I have been
praying in the past year or so, and I’m sure will continue to do so. Since God
can do far more than we ask or imagine, it’s time to start asking and imagining
bigger. He is more than willing to preserve, protect, and defend those who seek
Him earnestly.
