Imagine being a poor widow, a stranger in the land and holding one of the lowliest jobs in society. That was Ruth’s situation, so it would have been easy for her to feel vulnerable and defenseless. But because she trusted the Lord (see Ruth 1:16), He placed her under Boaz’s protection.
Boaz, the owner of the field she worked in, commanded his young men saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her” (see Ruth 2:15). What he was saying to his men was this: “She might be a gleaner, but because I care for her, treat her with respect and make sure she is not put to shame.”
Boaz is a picture of our Lord Jesus. If you are feeling vulnerable and defenseless right now, imagine Jesus commanding His angels, “Watch over this one who belongs to Me. Make sure he is treated with respect and not put to shame because he is someone I love and someone whom I died for.”
God’s Word tells us that if God is for us, who can be against us? (see Romans 8:31). No one who has set himself against us can prevail because when God is for us, His protection is upon us. That is why I have never answered any of the poison email messages which I have received in the course of my ministry.
My attitude is this: Jesus is my defense. If He does not defend me, it means that there are things in my life that are not to be defended, and I would be glad to find out about them now rather than later. On the other hand, because I take the Lord as my defense, and He defends me, what can those who are against me do to me?
When you defend yourself, you have only your two hands and your own human resources. But when you let Jesus take up your defense, He defends you with His nail-pierced hands and His legions of angels! The results will be amazing.
Beloved, the Lord is your defense and refuge. Trust Him to defend and provide for you!
"I'M HERE TO TELL YOU" EDITOR'S NOTE
In a courtroom situation, you better do a pretty good job of defending yourself - the results can be huge fines or even jail. But when allegations come from other people or even the devil, there is no need. We have an advocate in heaven - a defense attorney that reminds the judge - we are innocent. The bible says that "the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them". In other words - satan will blind scoffers from the truth. The world doesn't know the truth about God. They see it as foolishness. But we have the Good News, we believe in the God's Grace. So, if you think you can defend yourself against these people and their accusations, you're wrong. Like the old saying goes... you should never argue with a crazy mind. What you should do - as always, is trust in the Lord. God loves you so much and sees you as His child - what could harm you? Today, pray that when the world gets you down and people try to put you to shame, that you will remember who you are. A child of the most high. A beloved child that is advocated for by Jesus Christ. Remember, you are innocent.
