Guard – Boldly For Him

Stepping into the crosswalk of a busy school intersection, on my morning walk with the Lord, I carried the weight of the year which threatened to implode on me. This was a mockery to Father God and I knew it! Just then an unassuming gentleman stepped toward me and with one swift motion of confident authority, he positioned himself between me and the on-coming traffic.

Suddenly, I heard the sharp sound of his whistle blow as he simultaneously with protective outstretched arms held up a “Stop Sign.” Knowing that he meant business, every car within the vicinity of that crosswalk immediately came to an abrupt stop. As I read, “Crossing Guard” on his shirt, I sensed The Presence of The Lord in a very tangible way. With tears streaming down my face, God let me know, that He was now and forever “My Personal Crossing Guard.” He would make sure that I safely cross every busy, dangerous and uncertain intersection that may come my way in life. He was gently reminding me of what I already knew but had so easily forgotten that morning. I am so grateful that as Believers in the Overcoming Blood of Jesus Christ that we have this Eternal Promise to stand on!

Isaiah 52:12 (AMP) articulates this truth so beautifully;

“For you will not go out with haste, nor will you go in flight [as was necessary when Israel left Egypt]; for The Lord will go before you, and The God of Israel will be your Rear Guard.”

The term, “Rear Guard” is a military term. In The Merriam Webster Dictionary, it is defined as A military detachment detailed to bring up and protect the rear of a main body or force.

My friend this is exciting news! Not only is God our, “Crossing Guard”, But He is also our, “Rear Guard.”

This means that God not only protects us when we miss it with our strengths, He also covers and protects us in our weaknesses. When our most vulnerable areas are under attack, He is there to help us safely cross over to the other side! To the other side of wisdom, stability, strength, and Victory in Jesus Name!

Psalm 46:1 (BSB) Explains this truth even further;

“God is our Refuge and Strength, an Ever-Present Help in times of trouble.”

To be, “Ever-Present” is to always “Be There.” He is not an absentee father, He is a Loving, Focused Father, A Trusted Confidante Who is Fully Aware of His Children at all times. No matter what trials, temptations or difficulties we may find ourselves in, He remains a Strong Tower, A Place of, “Refuge and Strength,” throughout every season of our lives.

I sense many of you that are reading this right now are struggling with the fact that God is Truly, “THERE FOR YOU.” We must ask ourselves the following questions so that we can pinpoint and eradicate any deadly root system of unbelief that would hinder the effectiveness of the Word of God from Being our, “Crossing Guard” in life.

Do I trust God with my strengths and my weaknesses?
What areas of vulnerability in my life am I struggling to trust God with?
What is hindering me from going to The Word of God to get the answers that I need?

My friend, Let God Himself assure you of His Unwavering Commitment TO YOU! The following lyrics are to a beautiful song penned thousands of years ago by King David, also known as The Psalmist David, who happens to be one of Jesus Christ’s direct ancestors.

Psalm 121 (AMP);

“I will lift my eyes to the hills [around Jerusalem, to sacred Mount Zion and Mount Moriah]—From whence shall my help come from?” “My Help comes from The Lord Who made Heaven and Earth.” “He will not allow your foot to slip or to be moved; He Who keeps you will not slumber.” “Behold, He Who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” “The Lord is your Keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand [the side not carrying a shield].” “The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night.” “The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life.” “The Lord will keep your going out and you’re coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”

Though King David had a moment where he was personally wondering, “where his help comes from?”, he quickly realized that “My Help comes from The Lord Who made Heaven and Earth.” So it is for us my friend, “Our Help comes from The Lord Who made Heaven and Earth!” We must never allow our flesh, our vulnerabilities, our weaknesses, and yes even our strengths keep us from accepting and walking in this fact. So many times, the enemy will tempt us to trust in our own strength or the “legs of men” to get us through a tough situation. Though God will work through men to bring assistance, provision, and guidance to us, He wants us to base our trust in Him and His Word. He wants us to realize that HE ALONE is our TRUE, “Crossing Guard!” He wants us to, “Be Strong and Live Free…….Boldly For Him!”

Proverbs 3:5-10 (TPT);

“Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on Him to guide you, and He will lead you in every decision you make.” “Become intimate with Him in whatever you do, and He will lead you wherever you go.” “Don’t think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom comes when you adore Him with undivided devotion and avoid everything wrong.” “Then you will find the healing refreshment your body and spirit long for.” “Glorify God with all your wealth, honoring him with your very best, with every increase that comes to you.” “Then every dimension of your life will overflow with blessings from an uncontainable source of inner joy!”

Having lived on military bases, I know firsthand the vital importance of “Guarding The Gates.” Approaching a military base can be rather intimidating, especially when a base has been placed on: “High Alert” because of some impending threat. Military Police are stationed at the entrance of the base operating out of a Guard Gate with a mandate to make sure that only military personnel, their family members and guests and those on, “official government business” have access to the base. The presence of this type of scrutiny was both comforting and unnerving at the same time.

It didn’t matter how many times I drove through those Guard Gates, The MP’s as they were known, would look to the windshield searching for the identifying symbol of rank and authorization in order to let me pass through.

A well trained MP would slow the car down, locate the military decal, recognize the Full Eagle symbol denoting my stepfather’s rank as a full Colonel, then come to full attention with a salute as I was cleared to pass through the Guard Gates. The MP would not rely on the familiarity of my face alone, in order to give me access to the base, even though I lived there.

When we accept Jesus Christ into our heart as Lord and Savior, we receive the promise of the “Full Salute of Our Salvation.” At that point, we are given the responsibility through the help of The Holy Spirit to become MP’s of our own heart as we, “Guard the Gate of Our Lives.” The Bible says it this way in Proverbs 4:23 (AMP), “Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.”

What you salute at the “Gates of Your Heart” you authorize to have access to your life. Never allow what is familiar to you to become the snare that could potentially kill you, spiritually, emotionally, relationally, financially or even physically. The enemy, (devil) will use what is familiar to you to set up his agents of deception in order to gain access to your heart.

Beware of any person, place or thing whether it be in the thought life or tangibly that is trying to gain access to your heart without the identifying Presence of The Holy Spirit’s Approval, which is Peace based on The Truth of God’s Word. The MP’s knew that I looked familiar to them but they would not let me drive through the gates and access the military base, which housed the heart of military activity until they were able to fully identify me and the car that I was driving and mark me as safe. Then and only then did they come to full attention and salute as I was authorized to pass through the gates.

I have three questions for you as we secure the “Gates of our Heart”.

1. What are you saluting and coming to full attention to at the Gate of Your Heart?
2. Will you choose, “The Gate of Life” and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
3. If you already know Him as Lord and Savior, will you, “Guard the Gates of Your Heart” in order to be all that God has called you to be? God’s gift of free will is yours, choose well.

Jesus Christ tells us Himself in John 10:10 (NKJV) “The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.”

If you are accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior for the first time, then the following prayer has been written with you in mind. Please join me as we pray together:

“Jesus, I really want to know You, show me Who You Are as My Lord and Savior, come into my heart and teach me how to Guard the Gates of my life. I love You and I want to serve You forever, Amen”!

Congratulations! Your name has officially been written in “The Book of Life”!

Let’s “Enter His Gates With Thanksgiving” as we celebrate the Best Day of your life as a New Believer in Jesus Christ! Reference Psalm 100:4 (NKJV).

Tag: Guard

Crossing Guard

Guard The Gates