Living Word Ministries International

UNDERNEATH YOUR LIFE ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS OF GOD;SUNDAY OUTLINE  (EMMA OKORIE) 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2024

TOPIC: UNDERNEATH YOUR LIFE ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS OF GOD. 

God’s protection is a promise that many Christians often gloss over without truly believing in it.

It’s not  just  about quoting the promises of  protection and healing;  it is about having faith in them.

Faith has become a rare and precious commodity, and without applying it to God’s  promises, those  promises remain redundant and useless.

Deut 33:27-28(NLT)27 The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you; he cries out, ‘Destroy them!’ 28 So Israel will live in safety, prosperous Jacob in security, in a land of grain and new wine, while the heavens drop down dew.

What is the implication of a mighty support under your life  – to uphold you from falling and keep you secure and protected?

I believe in the power of God’s  promises  today as much as they were effective in the days of Daniel , Shadrach , Meshach and Abednego, Peter , Paul and countless others who belong to God.

Dan 6:16-22(NLT)16 So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.”17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.19 Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. 20 When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?”21 Daniel answered, “Long live the king! 22 My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”

Are we reading the same Bible?  Can God still protect His children  in defense of His mighty name?

Dan 3:19-29(NLT)19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?””Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!(read on).

Applying  faith  significantly will build a wall of protection around you even now.

Isa 54:17     (NLT)17 But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!

Keep your heart and faith centered on God as you pass through your present trial.

2 Thess 3:3(NLT)3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

Ps 46: 1-11 (TLB)46 God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble. 2 And so we need not fear even if the world blows up and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam; let the mountains tremble! 4 There is a river of joy flowing through the city of our God-the sacred home of the God above all gods. 5 God himself is living in that city; therefore it stands unmoved despite the turmoil everywhere. He will not delay his help. 6 The nations rant and rave in anger-but when God speaks, the earth melts in submission and kingdoms totter into ruin. 7 The Commander of the armies of heaven is here among us. He, the God of Jacob, has come to rescue us. 8 Come, see the glorious things that our God does, how he brings ruin upon the world 9 and causes wars to end throughout the earth, breaking and burning every weapon. 10 “Stand silent! Know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation in the world!” 11 The Commander of the heavenly armies is here among us! He, the God of Jacob, has come to rescue us!

The reason we often forget God’s  protection is  that when we face overwhelming, intimidating, boisterous and fierce  aggression from the wicked, our hearts tend to sink.

Deut 31:6(TLB)6 Be strong! Be courageous! Do not be afraid of them! For the Lord your God will be with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you.”

This is the consciousness of  The word of God.  Fear emanates from the evil spirit.

Isa 41:10-14(NLT)10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. 11 “See, all your angry enemies lie there, confused and humiliated. Anyone who opposes you will die and come to nothing. 12 You will look in vain for those who tried to conquer you. Those who attack you will come to nothing. 13 For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. 14 Though you are a lowly worm, O Jacob, don’t be afraid, people of Israel, for I will help you. I am the Lord, your Redeemer. I am the Holy One of Israel.

God has assigned His angels as ministering spirits.

Ps 34:7(NLT)7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

But the church that knows the God of protection will rise and roar in times like these.

Acts 12:5-17(MSG)5 All the time that Peter was under heavy guard in the jailhouse, the church prayed for him most strenuously. 6 Then the time came for Herod to bring him out for the kill. That night, even though shackled to two soldiers, one on either side, Peter slept like a baby. And there were guards at the door keeping their eyes on the place. Herod was taking no chances! 7 Suddenly there was an angel at his side and light flooding the room. The angel shook Peter and got him up: “Hurry!” The handcuffs fell off his wrists. 8 The angel said, “Get dressed. Put on your shoes.” Peter did it. Then, “Grab your coat and let’s get out of here.” 9 Peter followed him, but didn’t believe it was really an angel — he thought he was dreaming. 10 Past the first guard and then the second, they came to the iron gate that led into the city. It swung open before them on its own, and they were out on the street, free as the breeze. At the first intersection the angel left him, going his own way. 11 That’s when Peter realized it was no dream. “I can’t believe it — this really happened! The Master sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s vicious little production and the spectacle the Jewish mob was looking forward to.” 12 Still shaking his head, amazed, he went to Mary’s house, the Mary who was John Mark’s mother. The house was packed with praying friends. 13 When he knocked on the door to the courtyard, a young woman named Rhoda came to see who it was. 14 But when she recognized his voice — Peter’s voice! — she was so excited and eager to tell everyone Peter was there that she forgot to open the door and left him standing in the street. 15 But they wouldn’t believe her, dismissing her, dismissing her report. “You’re crazy,” they said. She stuck by her story, insisting. They still wouldn’t believe her and said, “It must be his angel.” 16 All this time poor Peter was standing out in the street, knocking away.Finally they opened up and saw him — and went wild! 17 Peter put his hands up and calmed them down. He described how the Master had gotten him out of jail, then said, “Tell James and the brothers what’s happened.” He left them and went off to another place.

His protection and deliverance are not  mere fables.  We must increase our faith to receive such supernatural deliverance.

Ps 32:7-8(NLT)7 For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. 8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.

Let us pray with this in mind.

Our God and our father, I want to rest  in the shadow of Your wings. When life is hard,  and I don’t know  what to do, help me remember that You are with me and that I am never alone . I cannot live without You.

Deut 31:6(NLT)6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

From today, I choose to walk and rest under the protection of Your hands

Protection , deliverance , and healing are the bedrock of God’s covenant with His people.

Ps 91:1-16 (KJV)He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Though we are hunted by  fears that  should  have no place in our lives, help us to find comfort in Your rod and staff, which protect us.

Ps 23:4(NLT)4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley,  I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Pray for protection.

Ps 31:4(NKJV) Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength.

1 Peter 5:7(NIV)7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Ps 5:11(NIV)11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

God is our shield.

Ex 13:20-22(KJV)20 And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

No one can snatch us out of the hollow of your hands.

John 10:29-30(NLT)29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.

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