As I spent time with God, waiting for inspiration for this blog, I felt the Holy Spirit revealing how many of my posts come from my being defensive of my beliefs. How easy it is for me to take offense and allow walls to rise up. And He said to me, don’t live defensive, I am your defense. Maybe not those exact words, but that was the message. And He gave me some scriptures that we’ll look at.

Before we get to those, I was reminded of one of my favorite worship songs: Defender. I hope you will take some time to listen and let the song minister to you.

One more message from my time in His presence—be myself. Trust the process, because He is the Artist and I am His masterpiece. Ephesians 2:10.

So, how does God defend us?

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭CSB‬‬

What does it mean that Jesus is our mediator? A mediator is the one who brings opposing parties together, by resolving a matter that has come between them. Jesus stands between God and man. He has negotiated a new contract, a new covenant on our behalf.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens — Jesus the Son of God — let us hold fast to our confession.

Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬, ‭16‬ ‭CSB‬‬

The high priest acted as an intercessor, representing the people of Israel before God. He offered gifts and sacrifices on their behalf as reconciliation. He would also stand for the people when God came in judgment for their sins. This is the very thing Jesus does, once and for all He offered Himself as a sacrifice, and now in the presence of Father God, he continually intercedes for us.

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭29‬-‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬

No one can accuse us and no one can condemn us. Why? Because we belong to Jesus.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So when you feel judged, whether by believers or nonbelievers, let it fall on Christ who bore all that judgment for us on the cross.

You were in a faraway country, but I reached out to you. I called you from that faraway place. I said, ‘You are my servant.’ I chose you, and I have not rejected you. Don’t worry—I am with you. Don’t be afraid—I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory.

Look, some people are angry with you, but they will be ashamed and disgraced. Your enemies will be lost and disappear. You will look for the people who were against you, but you will not be able to find them. Those who fought against you will disappear completely. I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand. And I tell you, ‘Don’t be afraid! I will help you.’
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭9‬-‭13‬ ‭ERV‬‬

There is so much to unpack in this idea of our Great Defender, and I don’t mean to say we are never wrong and in need of correction, but the walls we build between each other as a defense are shabby protections compared to the shelter of the Most High. The remedy for me when I feel defensive is to let down the walls and let the Holy Spirit in. He will lead me to the truth.

In my soul, I am a lover, not a fighter. I don’t want to present my faith as an argument. I just want to share the excitement I feel when I get those aha moments about how incredible God is. That is my heart.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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