WON'T BACK DOWN!

While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. -- John 17:12

There’s a lot we do for the ones we love. A new mother would forego restful nights for the comfort of her newborn. A mother would surrender a piece of short-changed dessert to satisfy her hungry brood. Some women stay up late to tend to the affairs of their homes (if you’re anything like me, cleaning at night usually ends up being an intercession session with God).

When something’s broken, we’re ready to fix it. When someone hurts, we’re ready to make it all better. When someone cries, we’re on the ready with a Kleenex and a word of prayer and encouragement. And when things go wrong for our loved ones, we’re ready to sacrifice ourselves to make it right. Our shoulders may get soggy. Our arms might grow tired. Our hearts will get broken. And yet, we will hold firm to our convictions and stay faithful to our natures. Why? Because we care too much to give up, shut up or quit being who we were created to be -- moms, women, daughters, girlfriends, sisters, friends.

Not to get too off track here, but my son and I share a love for cartoons. I’m a product of the classic, Looney Tunes camp of yesteryear. My son can’t get enough of Pokemon. That’s one of our love connections. So imagine my surprise while watching the movie, “Barnyards” with him that I was particularly “moo-ved” (augh - very bad humor here) by the great lengths the head cow (Ben) went through to safeguard the barnyard from predators. When a pack of coyotes surrounded the chicken coop ready to pounce on the poor, unsuspecting hens and their roost, Ben burst into the coop with a confidence that made those coyotes quiver. The monologue from the cocky, head coyote honcho went on for about ½ a minute. Unfazed, Ben just stared them down. Then slowly whipping out the guitar strapped to his back, he started to sing -- “Well I won’t back down - No I won’t back down - You can stand me up at the gates of hell - But I won’t back down!”

I mean singing cows are cute and all for my son, but what I saw was the power of God reigning supreme over the predators that look to devour His entrusted flock. I literally got goosebumps! I mean how glorious is that that our Savior would speak in the strangest of venues! You see, we may feel helpless to fix the ills of our loved ones, but God stands up to the enemy on our behalf. We may grow tired from interceding on behalf of our rebellious children, our pragmatic friends and our stubborn relatives, but God hears our cries and attends unto our prayers! NO - GOD WON’T BACK DOWN!

Heartfelt Prayer - Dear God, thanks for keeping us safe in your care, but even better, thank you for keeping our loved ones safe for your keeping! Thank you that You never leave us nor forsake us. Help us to entrust the lives of our loved ones to Your tender and protective care. AMEN.