“’Then I, myself, will be a protective wall of fire around Jerusalem’, says the LORD. ‘And I will be the glory inside the city!’ ” (Zechariah 2:5, NLT)
The scripture for today from the pages of Zechariah in the Old Testament speak of God being “a protective wall of fire” for Jerusalem. These words were written by the prophet Zechariah to forewarn the faithful that at a dangerous time in the future, Jerusalem would be rendered safe and protected by the power of Almighty God. Jews who take shelter in Jerusalem would be guarded. God’s “glory” would be seen and felt inside the city during that dangerous time. Despite the strength of enemies of God outside the city, the people would be protected inside the city. Jerusalem would be a perfect, protected, holy sanctuary for all those who seek God’s help within the city gates. God’s wall of fire would give ample security.
In the Middle Ages, castles would often be built with a moat made of water around them. This water around the castle would protect the castle walls, keeping enemies from climbing the walls and entering the city to attack it. However, the water of the moat was not its only protection. There is historical evidence that people of this ancient time would pour oil on the water of the moat and then light it on fire. The oil could burn for a long time, protecting the castle from enemies with a wall of fire around the perimeter. Even when the fire receded as the oil was burned off, more oil could be added. As long as the fire burned in the moat or even the danger of fire existed, foreign invaders dared not attempt to breach the castle. It was just too dangerous. The wall of fire gave fine protection from invasion.
In the book of Exodus, we are told of a special protective “pillar of fire” that gave security to the people of Israel as they left Egypt. This pillar of fire blocked the advancing Egyptians from attacking the people of Israel as they left Egypt. Every night the pillar of fire appeared and protected the people from harm (Exodus 13:21). The Egyptians armies, though much stronger than Israel, could never penetrate that pillar of fire sent by God Almighty.
Throughout the Bible, there are many examples of God’s protection. One might even say that our God is a “protective God”. God used a variety of methods and tools to protect the faithful. A powerful “pillar of cloud” protected the fleeing Israelites from Egyptian armies during the long days of exodus (Nehemiah 9:12). An angel sent from God protected and advised Elijah when he challenged the King of Samaria (2 Kings 1). An angel also freed the apostles from prison in Jerusalem so they might spread the gospel (Acts 5). The prophet Isaiah described God’s protection of Jerusalem during critical moments of the dangerous 6th century BC like “birds hovering” above the city (Isaiah 31:5). Many other scriptures reaffirm that God has a protective instinct that brings safety and security to the faithful at the perfect time when needed.
God’s protective wall of fire also is also available to you. You may not see that wall of fire at times; you may not notice God’s angels for example, but these protections are often there. These protective forces of God may be invisible to the naked eye, but they are not invisible to evil forces. God’s protection is powerful and impenetrable.
Phil Larimore served in World War 2. He was wounded 5 times and lost his leg in combat. Years after the war, Phil’s son Walt asked his dad if he had a personal relationship with God. Walt was a pastor and wanted to be sure. His dad reached into his wallet and pulled out a piece of paper. Phil had carried that piece of paper throughout his entire time in war. That paper held a poem that read:
“No shell or bomb can on me burst, except my God permit it first.
Then let my heart be kept in peace;
His watchful care will never cease.
No bomb above, nor mine below, need cause my
heart one pang of woe.
The Lord of Hosts encircles me; He is the Lord of earth and sea.”
This poem reminded Phil Larimore that God would protect him in war no matter what. If he should die, it would only be by God’s permission. It would only be when God the Father was to bring Phil home to Heaven. Even though Phil suffered injuries, he believed God was protecting him the entire time he served overseas and until he breathed his last on October 31, 2003. (See Phil’s entire story at https://todayschristianliving.org/at-first-light/)
Do you have such confidence that the Lord is protecting you? You should. God’s protective instincts are legendary. They are biblical. They are real. They are available to you…. right now!
If you ever feel you need special protection from God, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Then, trust in God’s protection. It will be there. As surely as the wall of fire will protect Jerusalem as predicted by Zechariah, God’s wall of protection will extend to all the faithful in their day of need. And remember, God may best protect you by bringing you to His home in Heaven!
In the Middle Ages, castles would often be built with a moat made of water around them. This water around the castle would protect the castle walls, keeping enemies from climbing the walls and entering the city to attack it. However, the water of the moat was not its only protection. There is historical evidence that people of this ancient time would pour oil on the water of the moat and then light it on fire. The oil could burn for a long time, protecting the castle from enemies with a wall of fire around the perimeter. Even when the fire receded as the oil was burned off, more oil could be added. As long as the fire burned in the moat or even the danger of fire existed, foreign invaders dared not attempt to breach the castle. It was just too dangerous. The wall of fire gave fine protection from invasion.
In the book of Exodus, we are told of a special protective “pillar of fire” that gave security to the people of Israel as they left Egypt. This pillar of fire blocked the advancing Egyptians from attacking the people of Israel as they left Egypt. Every night the pillar of fire appeared and protected the people from harm (Exodus 13:21). The Egyptians armies, though much stronger than Israel, could never penetrate that pillar of fire sent by God Almighty.
Throughout the Bible, there are many examples of God’s protection. One might even say that our God is a “protective God”. God used a variety of methods and tools to protect the faithful. A powerful “pillar of cloud” protected the fleeing Israelites from Egyptian armies during the long days of exodus (Nehemiah 9:12). An angel sent from God protected and advised Elijah when he challenged the King of Samaria (2 Kings 1). An angel also freed the apostles from prison in Jerusalem so they might spread the gospel (Acts 5). The prophet Isaiah described God’s protection of Jerusalem during critical moments of the dangerous 6th century BC like “birds hovering” above the city (Isaiah 31:5). Many other scriptures reaffirm that God has a protective instinct that brings safety and security to the faithful at the perfect time when needed.
God’s protective wall of fire also is also available to you. You may not see that wall of fire at times; you may not notice God’s angels for example, but these protections are often there. These protective forces of God may be invisible to the naked eye, but they are not invisible to evil forces. God’s protection is powerful and impenetrable.
Phil Larimore served in World War 2. He was wounded 5 times and lost his leg in combat. Years after the war, Phil’s son Walt asked his dad if he had a personal relationship with God. Walt was a pastor and wanted to be sure. His dad reached into his wallet and pulled out a piece of paper. Phil had carried that piece of paper throughout his entire time in war. That paper held a poem that read:
“No shell or bomb can on me burst, except my God permit it first.
Then let my heart be kept in peace;
His watchful care will never cease.
No bomb above, nor mine below, need cause my
heart one pang of woe.
The Lord of Hosts encircles me; He is the Lord of earth and sea.”
This poem reminded Phil Larimore that God would protect him in war no matter what. If he should die, it would only be by God’s permission. It would only be when God the Father was to bring Phil home to Heaven. Even though Phil suffered injuries, he believed God was protecting him the entire time he served overseas and until he breathed his last on October 31, 2003. (See Phil’s entire story at https://todayschristianliving.org/at-first-light/)
Do you have such confidence that the Lord is protecting you? You should. God’s protective instincts are legendary. They are biblical. They are real. They are available to you…. right now!
If you ever feel you need special protection from God, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Then, trust in God’s protection. It will be there. As surely as the wall of fire will protect Jerusalem as predicted by Zechariah, God’s wall of protection will extend to all the faithful in their day of need. And remember, God may best protect you by bringing you to His home in Heaven!