Jesus: Defender and Refuge

Psalm 9:7-10

The Indescribable Christ: Names and Titles of Jesus Christ: A-G (The Defender and Refuge)

But the Lord is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge (Psalm 94:22; also 59:9; Isaiah 37:35).

At every stage in life we need defense, even from our youngest years to oldest age. This is occasioned by our living in the midst of destructive forces wielded by the destroyer, the dread Apollyon, which is always on the alert.

Youthful minds also need guarding against the detrimental, deceitful and defiling influences of life. The chief centers and cities of our civilization likewise need defense. When Jerusalem was jeopardized by the blasphemous threat of Rab-shakeh of Assyria, King Hezekiah asked the Prophet Isaiah to take the ultimatum and lay it before the living God. The prophet received the heartening reply, "I will defend this city to save it for Mine own sake, and for My servant David's sake" (Isaiah 37:35), and the message was conveyed to the king (2 Kings 19:34). When Alexander the Great was marching up the coast of Palestine with his forty thousand braves, the Lord pledged to defend the newly built temple and the people at Jerusalem (Zechariah 9:8, 13, 15).These historical records, which show the displays of divine power in the visible world, form a picturesque background to reflect the greater defense provided against diabolical foes. We cannot of ourselves assail the strongholds of the Devil. We are impotent to torn the tides of the Tempter's treachery or the torments of Tantalus. We cannot counter the forces of the foe and conquer death or cancel sin, but Christ can and He is our Defender. His defense is not only for civil, communal and national life, He also guards our personal, moral and spiritual interests.When David was surrounded by wicked men he declared confidently, "God is my defense" (Psalm 59:9, 16, 17), and was able to record that the degree of joy he experienced through trust was "Because thou defendest" (Psalm 5:11). In our title Psalm it is written, "The Lord is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge" (Psalm 94:22). He, as my Defender, is never careless or careworn, never wearied or worried, never indifferent or impotent, and is never disinterested or distracted; so why should I be disquieted or disturbed? When friends fail and foes frustrate, when prospects pale and possessions perish, why fidget and fret, why not rely and rest? For He is most desirable and dependable as a Defender. "Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is Thy hand, and high is Thy hand" (Psalm 89:13). We should gladly break froth into singing, "Sufficient is Thine arm alone, and our defense is sure."Christ in person is our Defender. He it was that stood beside the three heroes and defended them from the flaming furnace; He defended Daniel from the brute beasts of the den wherein he was cast; He defended Paul before Agrippa and Nero and delivered him out of the mouth of the lion; He defended Peter in the dungeon and also delivered him. He is likewise "our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise." Christ readily responds to danger signals whenever they are visible, as in the temple court He defended an accused woman, removed her condemnation and empowered her to withstand temptation. Lord, "Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wind." Christ is an almighty Defender and is always attentive and active on behalf of His people. He provides the canopy to shelter us, the panoply to shield us (Ephesians 6:11) and the majesty to support us; yea, underneath are the everlasting arms. he is well able to defend us from every danger and deliver even from darkness and death.Thou, O Christ, art all I want;More than all in Thee I find;Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,Heal the sick and lead the blind.Just and holy is Thy Name,I am all unrighteousness;False and full of sin I am,Thou art full of truth and grace.