All of the attributes are interconnected. We are trying to build on top of the other, like building blocks. For example, God is Creator. He knows how everything works. Who better to defend us than someone who knows the system and how is works. And with God as Almighty, when He is ready to defend, he has all the power He needs to defend it.
Believe it is important to know the entire word of God, old and new testament. Good idea to read the bible through and have everything refreshed in your mind. In this case, when I think of God Defender I am reminded of all the battles in the old testament. There are so many examples in the old testament showing God defending and protecting His people in battle. You can really get to know who God is by learning about how God defends and helps His people in battle. And what works, in battle.
So many times when the Israelites were getting ready for battle or someone was coming to challenge them in battle, what was really important to God was that they consulted Him before they went into battle. If they didn’t consult Him, they lost battles. Also in the battles He doesn’t ask them to defeat the enemy the same way each time. Reading the old testament will show you leaders who did things right and those who didn’t do things right. Good leaders surrounded themselves with good counselors. As you recall these old testament battles, it should strengthen your resolve. God was there for the Israelites and He will be there for me now. There is great value in knowing the God of the old testament.
After saying all that, when I looked up verses in the bible it was more about God defending us in a legal sense. Like an attorney who is your defender in a courtroom. Deut 10:18 says, “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving them food and clothing.”
When God was putting together, under the old covenant, all the things they needed to do as they were governing, He was very concerned that people were not exploited, especially the poor and the weak who had no one to come to their defense. God is a defender to the powerless. God says I hear their cries. Don’t deprive them of justice. If you are impoverished, God will take care of you. He promises to do that.
I John 2:1-2, “If anyone sins, we have one who speaks to the Father in our Defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” So Jesus is also our Defender. NIV bible study notes say that Defender here is referring to someone who speaks in court on behalf of a defendant and in God court the Defender must be and is, sinless. Jesus can be the only one who can stand in our defense before God.
Why is it so important to believe God is your Defender? Every battle, every temptation, every obstacle, He will fight for you. Some of you are fighting against bad habits and addictions and it seems overwhelming. Believe in Him, trust in Him, do all the things He tells you to do to fight that battle and face the enemy and you will come out victorious.
When God is on your side in the battlefield or in the courtroom, you are perfectly defended and safe.
Living a Radical Life for Jesus means believing that God is Defender
