A Fruitful Harvest: He protects

5.  He protects

In previous posts, I have talked about how the gardener has taken much care to plan, prepare, plant and provide for his plants.  Now we will look at what he does to protect them.

A proper gardener is constantly looking out for anything that will harm his plants:

~disease

      ~harsh weather

            ~insects

                   ~slugs and snails

                             ~caterpillars

                                    ~rabbits, raccoons, deer

He will cover the plants when frost is expected and provide shade from scorching heat.

He will take great care to protect from diseases like black spot, powdery mildew, rust, blight.

Insects, slugs, snails and caterpillars will be constantly trying to attack, so he must continually be on the lookout and use appropriate means to defeat them.

Rabbits, raccoon and deer love the plants, also…..they love to eat them!   So the gardener must use whatever ways he can to keep them from his beloved plants.

 One definition of a garden I found said that a garden is:  “A cultivated and protected place.”  What a beautiful picture of how God lovingly cares for us!  After He has planned, and prepared, and planted us....He will provide for us and protect us and continue to do so. 

He has given us His armor to protect us from the traps, schemes, attacks and temptations of our enemy.

Eph. 6:11  “Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 

Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

       God has given us these for our protection against the attacks of the enemy of our souls.  We are girded with His truth, covered in His righteousness, grounded by His peace.  He has given us the gift of faith  as a shield against the enemy’s arrows,  the knowledge of our salvation as our hope, and the sword  of His Word, from which the enemy must flee.

     1 Samuel 2:9  "He will protect His faithful ones”

 

 

     Psalm 121:7   The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.

 

 

     John 10:28   “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them   

                              away from Me.”

     1Thess. 5:24  “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”

     2Thess 3:3     “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil

                                one.”

     Rev. 3:10   "Because you have obeyed My command to persevere, I will protect you from the 

                          great time of testing that will come upon the whole world”

 He has also given us His angels as ministers to protect us:

     Psalm 91:11 & 14 “For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go….I will rescue

                                   those who love Me. I will protect those who trust in My name.”

     Heb. 1:14 “…angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation."

Jesus prayed for us on the night before He was crucified: 

     John 17:11  ” Father, You have given Me Your name;
                             now protect them by the power of Your

                             name.”

We are the apple of His eye!

 We are His planting…His glory...His love! 

Just like plants in a garden, we cannot protect ourselves from the enemies who want to destroy us. 

Put your trust in Him....and Him alone!

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Proverbs 3:5-8 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.”