My Defender

One of my favourite ways to describe Jesus at the moment is "My Defender" i love an ad lib bit in Tim Hughes song when silence falls where he sings

In the lone hour of my sorrow
Through the darkest night of my soul
You surround me and sustain me
My Defender for evermore

Now some of you may now picture Jesus as a kind of Tony Adams/John Terry-esque footballer diving into tackles and maybe breaking some bones in the process. But at the moment i see him more as a protector, someone who will defend our corner when we can't. I think something always stirs in us whenever we hear about stories of people giving up their lives to protect others. I think its such a comfort to know that we don't face the trials of life on our own but have a God who protects and defends us through every bad time. He died to ensure that those who come to him will not perish but are covered by His love and grace.

Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place, you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Psalm 37:28
For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever...

Following on from that I love the phrase "Defender of this heart" found in Ben Cantelon's song Remain. It's just brilliant to think that God defends our hearts. I guess it's easy to think that God kind of protects us from trouble, though maybe from afar, but he protects our hearts too and i think that's just amazing. Just the thought of God guarding my heart from all the stuff that would seek to break it brings such a smile to my face. For everyone one who has been broken hearted or had hardships and trials that have brought you to tears, i hope it's a comfort to know that God sees it all and that he is there defending our hearts, making sure we are strong enough to rise each day. He doesn't simply surround us, he protects, sustains, and defends our fragile hearts.

I know that Rob Bell isn't everyone's cup of tea but i found this Nooma video very helpful when times are tough. It was such a fresh revelation for me that God is holding me during the storm, he's so much closer than i think and the one who's carrying me out of it, while whispering the words i need to hear.