Zechariah prophesied that God's people would live "as though in open country" (Zec 2:8). In other words, they would not need a wall, army, or other means of protection. The Lord Himself would be "an encircling wall of fire" to protect them (Zec 2:9).
This prophecy has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is our Rock, Fortress, and Deliverer (Ps 18:3). We need no longer defend or insure ourselves. Jesus is all the firepower, all the insurance we'll ever need.
Most Christians don't believe the Lord is that real. Some say the Lord protects us through State Farm, Prudential, the CIA, and the Pentagon. Is this the Lord's idea, or a theology based on our lack of faith? Did Jesus ever say He wanted to use a corporation to insure us or an army to protect us? Didn't the Lord actually intend to be "an encircling wall of fire"?
We should always be motivated by faith and not by fear. Let's not conform ourselves to the world (Rm 12:2), but be transformed by the Spirit.
| PRAYER: | Father, give me a freedom, fearlessness, and boldness I've never had before. |
| PROMISE: | "He Who scattered Israel, now gathers them together, He guards them as a shepherd his flock." –Jer 31:10 |
| PRAISE: | Sts. Cosmas & Damian, twin brothers, gave themselves and ultimately their lives in loving submission to their God. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College