"Perfect Defender"

"For the LORD is our defense; and the Holy One of Israel is our King." (Psalms 89:18)
As we draw closer and closer to that day when the Lord snatches His church off of this earth, there is something that we should anticipate happening just prior to that event, and it has something to do with peace. I really don't know if it's peace between nations or if it's peace for the church, as in there being a lack of prosecution. One thing is for sure, God is still on the Throne, and whatever happens will happen based upon His perfect plan. This verse today is rather short, but that does not mean it does not pack a heavy punch. There are two very important principles that we must accept from this verse, the first of which is that God Almighty is our Defense! That pretty much sums up the answer to the question in Romans 8:31, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" It pretty much comes down to us accepting who God is, because He really has no need to prove Himself, He is God, regardless of what we think, or regardless of what anyone says. But one thing is for sure, if you put your faith in Him, He will not disappoint! The second principle is that of His choosing us and making us His people, a people governed by God. This is more than just a certain category of people, this is more than just a way of life; it's us being guided, directed, protected, nurtured and loved by a King that shows no favors, but is righteous and just. That might be hard to understand, but I heard a illustration given by Pastor Matt yesterday that might put it in the perfect light. He was giving the description of the shape of the Menorah, and how all the candles were all at the same perfect height, but how they were not all the same distance from the main stem or the shaft which held it up. We can all be a different distance from the Lord, some of us are more on fire than others, some have more gifts or talents, and some of us are stronger; but we are all equal when it comes to height. Okay; so maybe that did not do it for you, and maybe you need a little more light, yes? Here is the thing about the distance from the Shaft, in that we all choose how far we are from the Lord, or how close we become; God calls us to Him, but we are the ones that control the distance. Either way, we are all the same height; which basically means, that we all have the same protection...
"Soon -and it will not be very long -the forests of Lebanon will become a fertile field, and the fertile field will yield bountiful crops. In that day the deaf will hear words read from a book, and the blind will see through the gloom and darkness. The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the LORD. The poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. The scoffer will be gone, the arrogant will disappear, and those who plot evil will be killed. Those who convict the innocent by their false testimony will disappear. A similar fate awaits those who use trickery to pervert justice and who tell lies to destroy the innocent. That is why the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, says to the people of Israel, "My people will no longer be ashamed or turn pale with fear. For when they see their many children and all the blessings I have given them, they will recognize the holiness of the Holy One of Israel. They will stand in awe of the God of Jacob. Then the wayward will gain understanding, and complainers will accept instruction."" (Isaiah 29:17-24) NLT