Devotionals for the Heart: God defends humankind at all times

How God Defends Humankind
A devotional by Essie Faye

“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.”

—Psalm 5:11 (NKJV)

Mama bears go to war for their cubs and humans do the same for their offspring.

What are some ways that we protect the ones we love? We are careful with how we handle them. We are kind and careful not to hurt them intentionally. We seek to care for their physical body. It always amazes me how moms care for their young. They carry the baby within their womb for months, nurturing it with their physical bodies. Each bone, muscle, organ, and body system of the baby is developed from the mother. Mom incubates the child, protecting it and defending it from harmful elements within and without. What an incredible demonstration of the love between mom and child! We exemplify the love of God our Creator. God's love for His children surpasses even a mother’s love. He’s a good Father who saves His children from danger, protects them, and defends them from any opposing force.

God’s passionate love for us is clearly demonstrated by the gift of salvation that He gave humankind. God loved us so profoundly that He gave His only Son (Jesus Christ) to appease the wrath of God caused when Adam and Eve (the original humans created by God who are also the First Parents of all humankind) sinned. Because of this sin, judgment called for the death of the human family. Mercy said “No” when Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice and died in the place of humanity. Because of this great love, we were saved from paying the wages of sin (Romans 6:23). We now have access to eternal life, if we believe in Christ (John 3:16-17). The love of God saved us.

God’s unconditional love for us is clearly seen by how He faithfully protects us. God protects us from the evil plans of the enemy. He gives His angels charge over us to keep us safe (Psalm 91:11). They serve the purpose of God and guide us along our life’s path. God loves His children unconditionally and this love includes ensuring us that we are out of harm’s way. He covers us under the shadow of His wings and hides us in His secret place so that no harm will come near us. God protects us and He keeps us safe.

God’s unshakeable love for us is clearly seen by how He diligently defends us. He protects us from harmful elements within by removing anything that will hurt our growth or progress. This may include unforgiveness, bitterness, envy, malice, etc. He removes harmful situations and toxic people from our lives. God challenges us to rid ourselves of harmful practices, patterns, and beliefs. He even defends us against ourselves. Many people have heard of self-sabotage. This is when we turn on ourselves and attack ourselves. Self-sabotage prohibits progress and success. God defends us against hurting ourselves. Sometimes God allows us to experience trauma. However, He did not cause the trauma. God feels pain with us and He helps us to overcome our trauma as He heals us from it.

In today’s text (Psalm 5:11), the psalmist commands all who trust in God to rejoice. God has proven Himself to be trustworthy from generation to generation. He has kept His Word in each generation, and He watches over His Word to perform it. He does not lie. It is God that holds the world and our lives in His hands. He gives us life each day. Everything on the Earth and in the entire universe belongs to God. He is sovereign and rules in the affairs of men. He is omnipotent, yet He loves humankind and has our best interest at heart.

When we trust in God, we can rejoice because we know that He is working our life situations out to our benefit. We know that His plans for us are good. He plans to give us a future and hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

We can shout joyously instead of cowering in fear because God defends us. He fights for us. He has given His Angels charge over us to keep us. They defend us against fallen angels and evil spirits. The blood of Jesus Christ covers us and defends us against evil, attacks, disease, and arrows from the enemy.

Call to Action:

1. Trust God because He is trustworthy.

2. Rejoice in faith, knowing that God is working for you even when you can’t trace Him.

3. Rest in God’s love for you; He saves you. He protects and defends you because He loves you.

4. We can find safety in God.

5. Remember: God declares that you are worth fighting for and He proved it.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, I look to You as my Provider, Savior, Protector, and Defender. You have never let me down. You’ve never failed me. You will never forsake me. Thank You for these promises. Help me to be joyful while I wait for your next move. Help me to be still as you defend me and to rest in your provision. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Fighting for Me” by Riley Clemmons. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Mercy Said No” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Constant” by Maverick City, Jordin Sparks, Anthony Gargiula | Ft. Chandler Moore. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “I Know the Plans (Audrey’s Song)” by Damaris Carbaugh. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Essie Faye is a woman of faith. 

She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter.

Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.

Essie is a Chicago native.

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Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefaye.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here:
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/58980-grow-through-it-7-healing-practices-that