Defence, divine

God defends his people, especially the most vulnerable. Because of God's defence, although Christians sometimes face trials and persecutions their eternal security is never threatened.

God defends his people

Isaiah 41:10–12 See also Exodus 23:20, Exodus 23:27; 1 Samuel 2:9; 2 Kings 6:16–17; Psalm 34:7, Psalm 144:10; Isaiah 19:20, Isaiah 51:16, Isaiah 51:22, Isaiah 54:16–17; Jeremiah 50:34, Jeremiah 51:36; Zechariah 9:8; Matthew 16:18; John 10:28–29; 2 Timothy 4:16–18

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish. You will seek them but will not find them. Those who wage war against you will come to nothing.

God defends especially the most vulnerable of his people

Psalm 10:17–18 See also Deuteronomy 10:17–18; Psalm 68:5, Psalm 146:9; Proverbs 23:10–11

You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will incline Your ear, to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed, that the men of the earth may strike terror no more.

God defended the city of Jerusalem

2 Kings 19:32–34 parallel Isaiah 37:33–35 See also 2 Kings 20:6 parallel Isaiah 38:6; Psalm 48:3; Isaiah 31:5; Zechariah 2:4–5, Zechariah 12:8

So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it. He will go back the way he came, and he will not enter this city, declares the LORD. I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”

God's defence of his people is pictured in various ways

As a hiding-place

Psalm 32:7 See also Psalm 17:8, Psalm 27:5, Psalm 31:20

You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

As a refuge

Psalm 57:1 See also Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 46:1; Proverbs 14:26, Proverbs 18:10; Joel 3:16; Nahum 1:7

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed.

As a shield

Psalm 115:9–11 See also Genesis 15:1; Psalm 84:11, Psalm 119:114; Proverbs 30:5

O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield. You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield.

As a combination of images

2 Samuel 22:1–4 parallel Psalm 18:2–3 See also Psalm 71:3, Psalm 91:1–4, Psalm 144:1–2; Isaiah 25:4

And David sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation. My stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.

The most reliable defence for God's people is to trust only in him

Isaiah 31:1 See also 2 Chronicles 16:7–9; Psalm 20:6–8, Psalm 37:16–19, Psalm 125:1–2; Isaiah 17:7–8; Daniel 3:16–18; Hosea 14:3

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.

Examples of prayers for God's defence

Psalm 25:20 See also 2 Kings 19:14–19 parallel Isaiah 37:14–20; 2 Chronicles 20:10–12, 2 Chronicles 32:17, 2 Chronicles 32:20; Psalm 35:23, Psalm 74:22, Psalm 86:2

Guard my soul and deliver me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You.

Because of God's defence the eternal security of believers is never threatened

1 Peter 1:3–5 See also Matthew 10:28–31 parallel Luke 12:4–7; John 10:28–29, John 17:15; Romans 8:31–39; 2 Timothy 4:18; Hebrews 11:32–39; 1 Peter 5:8–10; Jude 1:24; Revelation 2:10, Revelation 7:13–17

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.