In Zechariah 9:8, the Lord God said - "And I will encamp about Mine house because of the army..."

 

Do you have an "army" that is set on your destruction or is presently opposing you?

 

Know this - God is a "wall" about you. No enemy can break through to do you any harm.

 

"God's peculiar people are taken under His special protection, they and all that belongs to them; divine grace makes a hedge about their spiritual life, and divine providence about their natural life, so they are safe and easy." - Matthew Henry

 

Throughout the Scriptures, we find that God is a "wall," a "hedge," and a "shield" about His people. Hence, they need never fear - for there is no enemy that can penetrate through His Great Power.

 

Have you ever had God use someone in your life to be a "wall" of protection to you?

 

In 1 Samuel 25:15-16, we have a picture of God protecting His people in David and his mighty men - as they became a "wall" unto Nabal's shearers "both by night and by day" - "But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields. They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep." David and his men protected them from the attacks of the Bedouins...from the Philistines who would have plundered the flocks of Nabal...and from the wild beasts of the desert - which would have carried off many of the sheep and lambs by day or by night.

 

There is not a thing that the devil hates more than the "hedge" of protection that is raised around God's people. How do we know this? We read about his complaint to God in Job 1:9-11 concerning this "enclosure" around Job and his family to guard them from danger - "Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not Thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth Thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse Thee to Thy face." This "defense" could be likened unto a fence of thorns or an enclosure of stakes, spikes, or spears surrounding one's house or farm. It encircled the things which were without...within...and abroad. This "hedge" and "fence" - made up of the Almighty Power - was so thick and strong that Satan could not find the least gap to get in to do any injury to Job's body or mind - unless by Divine Permission.

 

Every city needs "walls." And every person needs some form of "protection."

 

In Zechariah 2:5, we read about how Jehovah acted as an unapproachable "wall of fire" around Jerusalem - "For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her." Unlike the other cities, she enjoyed a superior protection. She lay naked and exposed, but God - through His powerful Word - became as a "fire" round about her - to terrify and destroy any who ventured to attack.

 

It is interesting to note that the shepherds and travelers in some countries would kindle fires around their flocks or tents in desert places to keep off lions or other wild beasts. Lions - especially - were observed to be exceedingly terrified by fire. In 1 Peter 5:8, the Apostle Peter likens Satan unto a "roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour." The "wall of fire" or the Word of God around His people absolutely terrifies him - for he knows that he cannot approach this "enclosure" without "catching fire" from the "Consuming Fire" (Hebrews 12:29).

 

In 1 Peter 1:5, the Apostle also spoke of this "wall" of protection around God's people - "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." Here this "wall" - called "the power of God" - is likened unto a garrison, fortress, or castle which guards the people of God and their inheritance - against any approach of the enemy. We can see that God Himself is the sole guarding power which saves them from their enemies and "faith" is the activating means which keeps it so. The true disciples of Christ are under His continual watchful care.

 

The Prophet Isaiah called this "wall" by the name of "Salvation" - "In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks" (Isaiah 26:1) and "Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise" (Isaiah 60:18). Here God is said to make His help - His immediate and saving power - serve as "walls." This "salvation" ensures His people perfect safety. They never need to fear danger.

 

In Isaiah 4:5, the Prophet referred to God's Holy Presence as a "wall" or "defense" for the church - "And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defense." In this verse, God offers protection or a "covering" for His church and all that belong to it.

 

In Psalm 125:2, David compared this "wall" of protection or God's Holy Presence to the "mountains" that were "round about Jerusalem" - "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about His people from henceforth even for ever." The "LORD" is above, beneath, and around His people - defending them from all their foes.

 

Lastly, in Genesis 15:1, we read how God pictured this "wall" of protection as a "shield" about His servant Abram - "After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am Thy shield, and Thy exceeding great reward." This "shield" secured him from all destructive evils. It was a constant covering and protector. It served to silence all his perplexing and tormenting fears.

 

Pastor Henry in his commentary on Genesis 15:1 said this - "It is the will of God that His people should not give way to prevailing fears, whatever happens."

 

God is saying to you this day, O Saint of God - "Fear not, I will take care of you. You are under My watchful eye and protection. I will be an impenetrable wall about you - a wall that no enemy could ever break through to harm you."

 

"And I will encamp about Mine house because of the army..."

 

Take courage! God's got your back!