History buffs know what it means to circle the wagons. When we’re under attack, the safest place is in the center of our defenses, protected by whatever we have at hand.
In Antarctica, Emperor penguins use the same strategy against the blast of winter. A colony of 100,000 birds will huddle together, rotating those on the outside, sharing warmth for survival.
Medieval castles were built on the same concept. Often we find a castle within a wall, within a wall, within a wall. The more barriers we erect, the better our chances of survival.
Even modern CEOs do the same, although their walls are of secretaries, computer firewalls, and passkey-enabled doors.
What makes up our Christian firewalls? What are the barriers we raise to help us survive the onslaught of the evil one?
What are our wagons, encircled about us, offering us safety from the world pressing against our devotion to the Christ?
Revelation 1:1 says we have the Word of God as our first barrier. We read it, it strengthens our heart, and our wagons are circled.
“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.”
1 John 2:15 tells us our love for the Father is a mighty barrier, providing protection from all manner of worldly attacks. We’ve set up a firewall that cannot be breached.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
We read in 1 John 1:9 that confession is a bulwark of stability. When we recognize we’ve sinned, we become aware of the attacks of sin. This become our passkey-enabled door.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Hebrews 13:8 is our fortress of strength. It stands against all assaults, forming wall, after wall, after wall. Once we lock the gates, there is no entry for sin.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Abraham’s obedience, found in Hebrews 11:8, built a wall of protection around him. Each step was a stone of trust in God, raising the walls of Abraham’s faith until they reached the sky.
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”
Hebrews 4:15 is our deep freeze protection. We can’t fight the bitter winds of desolation and sin alone. Christ huddles at our side, shielding us from the worst the world can hit us with, becoming our protection in the storms of life.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
When is the time to circle our wagons? The time is now. We must read the Word, love the Father, confess our sins, trust in Jesus, and stick close to him. When these things are in place, we’ve built a fortress on a hill, surrounded by a wall, inside a wall, inside a wall. The devil will never find his way through, no matter how hard he tries.
The more layers of Jesus we surround ourselves with, the safer we are from the tricks of the devil.
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Code: FGO.D.05.16a.vp.esv