protect yourself

(keep your guard up)

I am not much of a boxing fan, but a situation caught my eye recently. Victor Ortiz was fighting (and losing to) Floyd Mayweather when he attempted an illegal head-butt. The referee signaled the fighters back together after issuing a warning to Ortiz but Ortiz was slow to reengage. Mayweather seized the opportunity and hit Ortiz with a combination that knocked him out; fight over. The ultimate cause of Ortiz’ demise was his failure to protect himself at all times. The proximate cause was engaging in the disruptive activity that caused the stoppage in the first place.

“You are my mighty rock, my fortress, my protector, the rock where I am safe, my shield, my powerful weapon, and my place of shelter.” Psalm 18:2

The Lord desires good things for us, his children. He is ready to stand in the gap and fight the battles with us. He is ready to be our rock and fortress and shield. David knew that first hand when he wrote Psalm 18. He had witnessed the power and protective goodness of God repeatedly in his life. Yes David was “a man after God’s own heart”, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be just as safe.

So stay engaged with your protector. Always know where the place of shelter is. Minimize the willful disruptive activity that creates a gap in the protection. And watch out for the left hook!

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 6, Number 22