25
Jul

My Ultimate Defender

I grew up as the middle of 3 girls. (Yes, I am a middle child and I use that against my sisters and my parents until this very day.  All of you middles reading this know my pain…I’m of course kidding.)  What I think is the most amazing thing about growing up fairly close in age to my sisters, is that we had days when we fought over anything and everything.  We said things to each other that we would never say to anyone else and we had moments that we even hated each other.  Then in the next moment we would be giggling and playing together.

After my older sister moved to college to play basketball, my youngest sister and I got to play varsity sports together.  It was an amazing experience.  The coaches quickly learned that we couldn’t guard each other in practice or an argument would break out quickly…we are both uber competitive.

I remember playing against a local school in basketball when I was a senior. (I’m 5’9 and my sister is only about 5’5, just keep this in mind.)  We were guarding an inbounds play and I knew the play that was called by the other team.  So I was cheating to where the play was going.  The girl that I was guarding got very upset and frustrated after a few steals and became vocal about it.  My little sister didn’t like was she was saying at all.  I thought it was funny, but this little 5’5 thing jumped in between me and the girl I was guarding and was telling her a thing or two.  I still laugh at the thought of my sister jumping to my defense when I am head taller than her, but she was defending me.  It didn’t matter the cost.  I’m hers and she loves me enough to defend me to anyone.

Jesus feels the same way about us.  He is our defender.  He is always there with us.  He sees our triumphs, our losses and He sees when we are in a battle that we can’t win alone. As soon as we need Him and ask for His help, He is there to jump between us and the giant that we are facing.

Jesus tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:9,

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Jesus is our defender when we feel we are being attacked not only in our everyday lives, but in a very real spiritual warfare. This war was waged by Satan for our very souls and Jesus defended us, and still does. He has already won the ultimate battle. He has defeated death upon the Cross. Once we accept Him as our savior, we are saved and we no longer have to face life on our own.

I may have thought it was funny when my little sister jumped up to defend me that day on the basketball court, but it still made me proud that she was there for me. There is such comfort in knowing someone has your back and I know that both of my sisters are always there for me if I need anything. But their love for me and their willingness to defend me will never compare to the love and the protectiveness that Jesus feels for me, for all of us. And “if He is for us than who can be against us.” Romans 8:31.

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”  Psalms 121:1-10

Be bold, Be brave, Be blessed,

Whitney