You might have heard it said that “Defense wins championships.” If you follow sports at all, you have heard this statement. I used to love playing sports; now I just enjoy watching them (the recovery time is much less). Through the years, I have learned the value of this statement. I coached soccer for many years. One of those years I had a huge dilemma. My best player played two different positions. He played center striker on offense, and he played goalie on defence. It was a dilemma because we either lost 1-0 if he played goalie, or we lost 5-4 if he played striker. We couldn’t win either way. One thing is for sure, you need a good defence.
In recent years, we have witnessed the reality of the importance of a good defence when it comes to guarding your country. The nation of Israel has been under attack for many years. A few years ago (more than a few now), America sent a defence mechanism to Israel to help them defend their land. I remember hearing about the Patriot missiles that were designed to intercept incoming bombs aimed at Israel. These missiles provided protection for this nation in a crucial time.
Today I read, “My defense is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.” (Psalm 7:10). I am so thankful for this verse. I am glad that God is “watching my back.” I am sure there are multiple attacks being launched at me every day I live. Many of them I am not even aware have come. Regardless, I don’t need to worry about them, because “my defense is of God.” While the Patriot missiles were very effective, they were not 100% effective. I can tell you that my Heavenly Father has never missed one thing that has happened in my life.
I see people worrying and fretting today about all that “could” happen, and all that has happened. When you don’t have God as your defense, you are in trouble. When you do have God as your defense, it is time to rest in Him and His strength. David wrote this psalm while facing incredible obstacles, and incredible enemies. He wrote with confidence that God was able to take care of him.
The key to this defense is found in the latter part of the verse. If we want God to be our defense, we need to walk with an upright heart. God is surely all the defense we will ever need. The question remains as to whether or not I will maintain an upright heart. Today I want to allow God to do all that He wants to do in me. I want to do my part to confess sin; repent of it; and stay in a close, intimate relationship with Him. If I will do my part, God will do His part of defending me. I am thankful for His work for me.