GOD'S PROTECTION 

TWO CIRCLES OF PROTECTION 

• we are responsible to protect our cities and nation as much as possible (Circle of Human Protection)
and leave the rest up to God (Circle of Divine Protection)—note the two guards of a city in Psalm 127:1c (a watchman and God)
• security measures are useless (Psa 127:1c–2) if there is a hole in our national hedge of protection (Num 14:9; cf. 2 Kings 6:17)
• angels and angelic armies protect people (Psa 91:11–12; Matt 28:53), cities (2 Kings 6:15–17), and nations (Dan 10:13; 12:1)
• God protects his beloved (dod, cf. SS 6:3) when least capable of protecting themselves—while sleeping (Psa 127:2b; cf. 4:8)

PERSONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS 

• an impenetrable hedge of protection surrounds the righteous—impenetrable even to Satan (Job 1:8–12; 22:4–7) 
• a very small percentage of righteous people preserve their cities and nations (Gen 18:20–32) 
• protection is a reward for living a clean, righteous, and blameless life (2 Sam 22:20–25=Psa 18:19–24; cf. Psa 5:12; Prov 2:7) 
• your righteousness will deliver you in time of war—but no one else (Ezek 14:12–20; cf. 18:5–9) 
• protection is sufficient reason to sing praise to God (Psa 5:11; 28:7; 59:16–17) 

TRUST GOD 

• don't trust in military might but in God (1 Sam 14:6; 17:47; 2 Chr 32:6–8; Psa 20:7; 33:16–22; 44:3–6; Prov 21:31)
• our first line of defense is God (Prov 18:10): he was David's stronghold (Psa 18:1–2; 31:1–3; 144:1–2) and hideout (Psa 32:7),
yet in times of danger David also sought refuge in natural rock strongholds (1 Sam 22:1–5; 23:29–24:3; 2 Sam 23:13–14)
and hid in a literal hideout—behind a stone in a field (1 Sam 19:1–3; cf. 20:5, 19, 24, 41)
• hiding is futile if God does not protect you (Deut 7:20)
• God will defeat the plans of his enemies (Isa 8:10)
• be obedient and trust God to protect you (Dan 3:16–18, 29)
• do all you can to protect yourself (Circle of Human Protection) and leave the rest up to God (Circle of Divine Protection)
• war may be punishment for relying on men rather than God (2 Chr 16:1–9)

PUT YOUR FAITH IN GOD'S PROMISES 

• fight and defeat terrorism by refusing to be terrorized: replace your fears with inner peace by claiming promises 
• to have peace of mind: (1) pray and don't worry about anything (Phil 4:6–7), (2) cast all your cares upon God (1 Pet 5:6–7), 
(3) don't be afraid (Psa 3:6; 23:4; 27:1–3; 46:1–3; 56:3–4; 91:5–7; 112:7–8; 118:6–7)—his protection is perfect (1 Sam 23:14) 
• a reciprocal effect of claiming promises is an immediate restoration of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, etc.) 

PRAYER 

• pray for personal protection (Gen 32:3–12; Psa 7:1–2; 59:1–4; 71:1–16; 142:1–7) and for a safe journey (Ezra 8:21–23) 
• a model prayer for national protection is the prayer of Jehoshaphat: he focuses on God's essence (2 Chr 20:6), recalls a 
historical parallel (20:7–8), claims a promise (20:9), cites the immediate problem (20:10–11), and asks God for help (20:12) 

LOSS OF PROTECTION 

• due to disobedience (Lev 26:14–17; Num 14:40–45; Matt 23:29–38)
• due to idolatry (Judg 10:10–16): we have more idolatry now in America than ever before because of our immigration policy
(Buddhists, Hindus, Moslems); idols and false gods can't protect anyone (Deut 32:37–39; Isa 46:5–7; Jer 10:3–5, 14–15)—
idolaters and worshipers of false gods are deceived and spiritually blind (Isa 44:9–20; esp. 44:18–20)
• due to testing—a test of loyalty to God, perhaps persecution during the reign of Jehoshaphat or Hezekiah (Psa 44:9–26)