God's Protective Power
God's protective power is available to us when we trust in Him and lay down our own strength.
David Wilkerson emphasizes God's protective power, using the imagery of birds to illustrate how God defends and delivers His people, much like a mother hen protects her chicks. He encourages believers to seek refuge under God's wings, assuring them that they do not need to fear their enemies. Wilkerson challenges listeners to trust in God's strength during their battles, reminding them that the victory belongs to the Lord. He urges them to lay down their own efforts and rely on God's faithfulness to fight for them. Ultimately, the message is one of faith, trust, and divine protection in times of warfare.
Text
Isaiah uses the image of birds to illustrate God's protective power over His people: "As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it" (Isaiah 31:5). The Hebrew meaning of this verse is, "As the hen birds flutter over their young, so shall Jehovah, God of hosts, spread out His wings over Jerusalem."
God was telling Israel, "If you want to be protected from the onslaught of the enemy, then hide under My wings. I will secure you, covering you the way a mother hen covers her chicks. You do not have to live in fear of your enemies any longer!"
Let me ask you: Are you in great warfare right now? Are you facing an enemy that is too powerful for you? If so, how do you expect to remain pure, faithful, Christlike, while others around you are falling left and right? How will you gain victory over your lusts and temptations when Satan comes against you like a roaring lion?
God asks simply that you lay down your sword and trust Him to take up His sword on your behalf. He wants you to come to the point where you say, "Lord, I know the battle is not mine anymore. I have failed so many times. Now I come to You in simple faith. Help me, God."
The Lord is urging you: "Cling to Me in the midst of your battle. Your victory is all a matter of faith in My power and willingness to deliver you. When the enemy has overwhelmed you, come to Me and pour out your soul. Seek Me with all your heart and I will do battle for you."
The battle is never ours. It is always the Lord's.
"He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day" (Psalm 91:4-5).
Sermon Outline
- I. God's Protective Power
- A. Illustrated through the image of birds in Isaiah 31:5
- B. God's protection is compared to a mother hen covering her chicks
- II. The Need for Protection
- A. We face powerful enemies in our spiritual battles
- B. We struggle with lusts and temptations
- III. God's Call to Trust Him
- A. Lay down our own strength and trust in God's power
- B. Come to God in simple faith and ask for help
- IV. God's Promise of Victory
- A. Our victory is a matter of faith in God's power and willingness to deliver us
- B. God will do battle for us when we seek Him with all our heart
Key Quotes
“He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” — David Wilkerson
“Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day.” — David Wilkerson
“The battle is never ours. It is always the Lord's.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We must come to God in simple faith and ask for His help in our spiritual battles.
- Our victory in spiritual battles is a matter of faith in God's power and willingness to deliver us.
- We must trust in God's protective power and lay down our own strength to remain pure and faithful.