Whom shall I fear - The Second Method: The Tabernacle "Divine Protection"

When Job was exposed to the accusations of the enemy, Satan acknowledged that God had set a wall of protection around Job, around his household and around all his possessions, from every side, saying “Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? “ (Job 1: 10). This confirms that there is unseen Divine protection for the believer. The devil, our adversary “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5: 8) but “the angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” (Psalm 34: 7).

Likewise, in Psalm 91 the LORD reassures all believers who dwell in the secret place of the Most High, abiding under the shadow of the Almighty, saying, “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.”

Why all this protection?!

“He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge.”

“Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place.”

Therefore, do not be afraid of the raging winds; because the tabernacle of God is strong, and the power of Satan will never overcome it.

The Lord said of His people, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper” (Isaiah 54: 17).

And of His church, He says, “On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16: 18).

And of each believer, He says, “No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling” (Psalm 91: 10).

Indeed the devil can upset matters around us to trouble us, and the thoughts within us to terrify us, yet we will not be frightened and will not be afraid. See what the Bible says about the weak rock badger! “The rock badgers are a feeble folk, yet they make their homes in the crags” (Proverbs 30: 26).

The way the Lord protects us from the schemes of Satan is to do three things with us:

First: God prevents any of Satan’s arrows or trials from reaching us unless it is within our capability, and is for a specific purpose in the heart of our God, so that it works for our good in the end.

This is what we see in the experience of Job. It is the Lord who gives the authorization and the permission. “And the LORD said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person" (Job 1: 12). And when he provoked him, the LORD said to Satan again, “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life” (Job 2: 6).

Our affairs are not in the hands of the devil, but in the hands of our good and loving Father.

Second: In the time of Satan’s warfare against us, the Lord guarantees our safety, and will never allow our faith to fail.

This is seen in Satan’s trying of Peter, when the Lord said to him, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.” (Luke 22: 31, 32).

Satan may be able to upset our circumstances and our thoughts, but he will not destroy our faith and peace.

Third: The Lord gives strength and grace within, to transform weakness onto strength and the devil's scheming into good and blessings.

This is seen clearly in the devil’s torment of the Apostle Paul, when the Lord said to him: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12: 9).

Sometimes God allows the Evil one to torment and buffet us. However He gives abundant grace to strengthen us and lift us up, enabling us to declare with Paul: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12: 10).

Magdy Samuel