Welcome readers!
Several weeks ago I asked a friend what one word she would use to describe the guy in her life. After a fun discussion, I started thinking of my own answer to that. How would I describe my OH? I really think this question could be answered, quite honestly, several different ways. Depending on the season of life, or perhaps even the type of day we’ve had. But, in this season of our lives, my one word would be this: Protector. He shields me as much as he can from people’s harsh words or actions. Takes care of me when my body is battering me black and blue. Encourages me emotionally when I am hurt/frustrated/can’t take the pain anymore, etc. Thinking of how he has taken on this role for me got me to thinking of how my Heavenly Father does the same thing, on a higher scale of course! He knows me better than my OH ever will, better than I ever will as well. He knows what I need to be protected from and what I need to go through in order to grow.
What better protectors can a girl have? One in heaven and one here on earth.
If you would like, feel free to check out the other studies – Virtue , Hope , faithfulness, hospitality, authenticity and wholesome speech, expectations and listening. There is no specific order for this study! A few ‘boring’ things before we get started – I will get all my meanings from dictionary.reference.com unless otherwise stated. For my verses, I will be using my Complete Jewish Bible, unless otherwise stated.
Protect :
- to defend or guard from attack, invasion, loss, annoyance, insult, etc…
- cover or shield from injury or danger
- to provide
synonyms: screen, shelter, defend. (support, maintain)
The 1st verse shows what love is:
1 Cor. 13:4-7,13 ” Love is patient and kind, not jealous, not boastful, not proud, rude or selfish, not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not gloat over other people’s sins but takes its delight in the truth. Love always bears up, always trusts, always hopes, always endures.But for now, three things last trust, hope, love; and the greatest of these is love.”
The rest of the verses are showing how God protects us : what words stand out to you of how He protects us in each verse?
Rom. 8:28 -“Furthermore, we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called in accordance with his purpose”
~everything works for His good. Even if we can’t see it!
Ps. 138:7 -“You keep me alive when surrounded by danger; you put out your hand when my enemies rage; with your right hand you save me.”
~keep alive, save, fulfill promises, right hand* , preserve, delivers
Ps. 91:1-4 -“You who live in the shelter of ‘Elyon, who spend your nights in the shadow of Shaddai, who say to ADONAI, “My refuge! My fortress! My God, in whom I trust!” he will rescue you from the trap of the hunter and from the plague of calamities; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his truth is a shield and protection.”
~rescue, refuge, shield and protection, fortress
Ps. 121 -“If I raise my eyes to the hills, from where will my help come? My help comes from ADONAI, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip -your guardian is not asleep. No, the guardian of Isra’el never slumbers or sleeps. ADONAI is your guardian; at your right hand ADONAI provides you with shade the sun can’t strike you during the day or even the moon at night. ADONAI will guard you against all harm; he will guard your life. ADONAI will guard your coming and going from now on and forever.”
~help, guardian, provider, shade/shadow, right hand* , preserve
2 Cor 4:8-9 -“We have all kinds of troubles, but we are not crushed; we are perplexed, yet not in despair; persecuted, yet not abandoned; knocked down, yet not destroyed.”
~protection through everything,
Here is a quote from T.D. Jakes :”That thing that is not coming to you may seem good. But either the timing is wrong, or from His position He can see that the future of it is bleak. I have always believed that people who thank God only for delivering them from what happened are just scraping the surface of praise. The real praise comes when you start thanking Him for what could have happened but didn’t because of His swift grace!”
Obviously, knowing God’s protection of us can help us through our hard times – that we are not alone and that eventually, the trial will end. And even when we are in the trial, we are to praise Him. But, as we are all too human, even having this knowledge does not mean that we will not doubt His plan. Just this week, when I had to leave an event early because of a vicious migraine that had me crying all the way home, I cried out to God that in that moment, my faith was so weak. What’s important is to move on from that moment, continue talking with Him and studying His word.
*right hand = Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God, making intercession for us ; messiah, equal portion, honor, power,
Do you have a time in your life that you know for a fact it was His protection that got you through? I’d love to hear about it!
I hope you have enjoyed this study with me and as I said above, do check out the other studies in this series – Virtue , Hope , faithfulness, hospitality, authenticity and wholesome speech, expectations and listening.
the start of a good life 
I travel extensively with my job, and I feel God’s hand of protection often in different situations.
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I’m so glad to hear that – isn’t it amazing? Thanks for stopping by!
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