Psalm 34:1-3 – “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together.”  NASU

 Now, let’s move on to the second area of focus for victorious Christian living.

FOCUS ON GOD’S PROTECTION… 

In verse seven we are told that God’s angels encamp around the believer to protect them and rescues us from potential harm and destruction.  I suggest rereading Psalm 91 in connection with this passage.  The word Encamps means to set up for a place to abide or for a siege.  The word Rescues or Delivers means to equip for the fight and to strengthen.  So, God’s angels are encamped around us to protect us, give us a place to abide, and equip and strengthen us for the spiritual warfare coming our way.  Hallelujah!  Remember in 2 Kings 6:14-18 when Elisha’s servant was fearful, and Elisha comforted him saying, “there are more with us than with them.”  You are never outgunned and outmanned if you are resting in God!

I find it powerfully comforting and encouraging when I read the declaration of 2 Chronicles 16:9, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect Him.”  Those that are completely His are watched over and protected!  That is incredibly comforting and should embolden us mightily.  I read this and envision the Father waiting for a chance to bless us.  In Psalm 125:2 we discover, “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem so the Lord is round about His people from henceforth even for evermore.”  Hallelujah!

Hear me, Child of God, The Blood Covering cannot be penetrated!  We are Protected!  The devil cannot penetrate from the outside, the only way he can do harm to us is if we go out to him.  Stay in the Pavilion Tent!  Take to heart the directive of 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant’ because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour.”  Hear me carefully, he cannot devour us as long as we are in Christ.  Remember the childhood game of “May I” Well, tell the devil, NO YOU MAY NOT!

FOCUS ON GOD’S PROVISION… 

In verse 15 we read, “The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry.”  In verse 19 we discover the reality that our lives will not be problem free and David says they will be many, but God delivers us from the ALL…  How many?  ALL…

I never try to convey to believers and especially new converts that their lives will be void of problems because they are Christians.  I usually tell them that just the reverse will be the case.  The righteous have problems often because we are imperfectly righteous.  We all have areas that need to be purged, purified, and we may need chastening to get rid of some dross that has left a residue in our hearts and minds.  I like the fact that Paul did not pretend that Christianity was problem free and he said in Acts 14:22, “…we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”  But never forget that The Lord Delivers Us Out of All Those Trials, Troubles, and Tribulations.

James 1:2 encourages me and helps me to realize that if God has allowed the devil to tempt us it is cause for rejoicing.  If God did not consider us strong enough or dependent upon Him enough to withstand the temptation, He would not allow it to come.  No God does not tempt but sometimes, as with Job, He allows us to be tested.  When our faith is tried or tested it becomes stronger and we become more dependent upon our Creator.  We should rejoice in the victory and the Victor!

God is our source!  God has committed Himself through His Covenant and His Character to protect us.  He has made provision for us that we can come to spiritual maturity, have our needs supplied and have guidance for the path we are to travel.  Jesus promised to never leave us or forsake us.  We belong to God, we are the sheep of His pasture, we are overcomers through Him.  We can resist the devil and he has to flee.

Put this thought in your mind and meditate upon it daily and multiple times:

Angels Camp Around You.

Jesus’ Blood Surrounds You.

God’s Spirit Empowers You.

All Heaven Supports You.

God’s Resources Are Open to You.

Therefore, there is nothing and no one that can stop you!  Rehearse verse 4 and let that be your motto: “I sought, He heard, and He delivered.”   You can’t lose if its God you choose and self, refuse!

May the rich and bountiful blessings of our Lord be yours on this beautiful day!