Thought for the Day

In ancient times, people acknowledged a man's superiority by bowing to him. In this verse, we are told how evil men cannot prevail against righteous men. Eventually they will surrender or bow before them. The wicked will stand before the gates of the righteous, but they will not be able to gain entrance into their safe domain. Gates are "portals" or "entry ways" into someone's territory. The righteous in Christ have the covenant promise of protection. Christians who claim that protection by faith will be in a place of safety. The enemy cannot enter in at our gates. We can claim protection over our hearts, our minds, our bodies and our homes. In fact, the Scriptures tell us that safety is not in any natural provision that we make, but is really in the Lord: "The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD" (Proverbs 21:31).

Christians who claim God's protection and walk with Him, will dwell in safety. We can claim protection over our hearts, minds, bodies, and homes. This does not mean that we should not make preparations for emergencies or battles. Proverbs 21:31 tells us to use wisdom by preparing for the future. However, we must understand that our real safety is in the Lord. The Bible records many battles in which God's people were greatly outnumbered by their enemies. Whenever their leaders sought the Lord for His battle plans, they would prevail. We should remember that one person with God equals a majority! Jonathan, David's friend in the Old Testament, knew this truth: "And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few" (1 Samuel 14:6).

Numbers cannot help us, nor can lack prevent us from accomplishing anything that God calls us to do. We must remember His sufficiency! God enabled Samson to prevail over a thousand of his enemies with a makeshift weapon; the jawbone of an ass (Judges 15:15). David was a man of God who "inquired of the Lord" before every battle. Each time he received God's plan and obeyed it, he won the battle (1 Samuel 23:1-5).

Like the Philistines, our enemy, the devil, comes to rob us and our families. We should do as David did and inquire of the Lord as to what we should do to overcome him. The key to safety is maintaining a close relationship with the Lord. This enables us to hear His battle plans. Psalm 91 is one of my favorite chapters of the Bible. I claim its promises every day for myself and my loved ones. I encourage you to do likewise. This Psalm should cause every believer to trust in God's power to keep us.