Daily Nugget:
Biblical Israel faced a plethora of attacks from their godless enemies (Psalm 129:1). Modern-day Israel is having similar assaults against similar foes. Through all the attempts of destruction upon them, Israel has still persevered and even prospered.
Their enemy’s attempts to weaken and destroy the nation have failed. The adversary’s advances came to naught. The attacks failed, not because of Israel’s strength and might, but because the attacks against the people God loves, although often spiritually wayward, were foiled by Israel’s faithful God.
The Bible is packed with other accounts of God protecting His own. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked out of a devouring, fiery furnace without harm because God delivered them (Dan. 3:16-17, 26) from the danger. Daniel was spared from the ravishing appetite of a den of lions because of his God’s protection (Dan. 6:22). Israel learned many times how, no matter the attacks from their enemies, no one could harm them unless it was God’s will for them.
In the story of Job’s trials (Job 1:8:22, 2:3-10), one reads Satan could only attack God’s man if God granted the enemy permission. God allowed His own Son, Jesus, to be tested by Satan, but no harm came to Him. Paul faced beatings, being stoned, robbed, and many other perils (II Cor. 11:25-28), yet God delivered him from all situations. No harm can come to His people unless God permits it!
Today’s Christians can also have similar safety. We will have attacks from enemies, disappointments, and trials, but they will not harm us unless God allows them to do so. Often, if the enemy’s assaults are seemingly victorious, it is to teach a deserved lesson or to move the believer in the direction God wishes for him.
There is much in this world that can be feared. However, the child of God, if he is within God’s will, has nothing to fear. God will protect His own and often destroys the intentions and devices of the wicked. We are safe because of God’s watchful eye and protecting hands.
“The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.” Psalm 129:4
Today’s Thought:
“When you have accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace; God is awake.” — Hugo
Words to Understand:
Asunder: separated; removed to another place
Confounded: confused
Withereth: state of decay of a once-living plant
Today’s Reading:
Psalm 129
1 A Song of degrees. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:
2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.
4 The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
5 ¶ Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.
6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:
7 Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
8 Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.
