INTRO: I wrote this Christian poem in 2014, which is based on Psalm 91 verses 5 to 13. It seems that King David wrote this psalm in reflection on his own experience of physical attacks on himself over 3,000 years ago when he was an Israeli shepherd and his time living in hiding from King Saul’s attempts to kill him. Read the story in 1 Samuel chapters 19-24. My poem describes the effects of these several types of physical attacks and compares them to spiritual or emotional attacks that many of us have experienced in our dealings with people, illness, or accidents. Beverley Joy
PODCAST – God Protects from Enemy Attacks
God is neither fickle nor false
Weak nor mortal
He is God Almighty, not a mere man
We will never be disappointed in Him.
As we journey through our life
He rescues us from hidden traps
Shields us from deadly hazards
From spiritual attacks.
Do not fear attacks
Shot like arrows in broad daylight
Words, spoken to destroy
Whispers, gossip, judgement, lies.
Arrows lightning fast; sharp, painful, and piercing
Deliberately pointed at the target – bullseye
Sometimes we can see who shot them
But other times they are shot from behind.
Do not fear attacks, like wild wolves in the night
Aggressive, they sneak around in packs
Ready to pounce on their chosen victim
Rip apart their heart, showing no regard.
Do not fear attacks, like venomous, slippery snakes
Slithering around in the mud of greed
Climbing trees of self-pride
Silently, cunningly scheming their attack
To poison and kill their victim’s character.
Do not fear attacks, like disease and pestilence,
That spreads in the darkness from the inside out
Slowly it grows, unseen, unfelt
Spreading its tentacles, securing its roots.
Once the symptoms show, it’s too late
The spiritual pain cannot be erased
The disease of deception, bitterness, revenge,
Take its toll and denigrate the soul.
Do not fear attacks, like a disaster
That suddenly erupts at high noon
Illness or accident, causing suffering and loss
The cries of the wounded, unable to be soothed.
Many victims collapse defeated
Exhausted, wounded from brutal attacks
Reluctantly they’re overwhelmed
Their enemy has sealed their doom.
Yet, no harm need even graze the heart,
Not even the slightest mark,
Of the faithful who stand strong in God
They rise to trample their enemy’s attack.
Healed by God’s love and peace
Renewed by God’s Holy Spirit
Shielded by their faith and trust
Strengthened by God’s mercy and grace.
Beverley Joy © 2014 of Simply Story Poetry. All rights Reserved.
You can listen to all my poems on several podcast platforms here
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