God’s Got Your Back

u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eIntroductionu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enn“The Angel of God who went u003cemu003ebefore u003c/emu003ethe camp of Israel, u003cemu003emoved u003c/emu003eand went behind them,” is what we see is said in my key verse for today.  As I shared with you last week, we as genuine believers ought to rest assured in the fact that u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/god-is-at-work/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022 data-type=u0022postu0022 data-id=u00229696u0022u003eGod is u003cemu003ealwaysu003c/emu003e movingu003c/au003e on our behalf.  I want you to know and understand today that God’s got your back;  God is your u003cemu003eshield u003c/emu003eand protection in the world we live in today.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:pullquote u002du002du003enu003cfigure class=u0022wp-block-pullquoteu0022u003enu003cblockquoteu003eu003csupu003e19 u003c/supu003eAnd the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them.nnu003cciteu003eKEY VERSE – EXODUS 14:19 NKJVu003c/citeu003eu003c/blockquoteu003enu003c/figureu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:pullquote u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eIn Good Careu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhen you hear me say that God’s got your back, what does that mean to you?  I suppose our thoughts would instantly go to how we define what it means for someone to have our back, right?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhen one has another’s back, we would say that means they will be there to watch out for us and help us with whatever sort of help that we may need u003cemu003ewhen u003c/emu003eit is needed.  So, the ones that have your back are the ones that you believe will be there for you through thick and thin.  We would say that those who have our back are our biggest allies.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennTo some of you, knowing that God’s got your back brings about a u003cemu003ecertain u003c/emu003eassurance.  I am certainly one that feels greatly reassured that God’s got my back as I continue on my journey through life; He has brought me through so many trials and tribulations, while lifting me over all obstacles and opposition.  I would suggest to you today that the believer ought to rest assured that God is our u003cemu003eshield and protectionu003c/emu003e.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eThe Good Shepherd’s Careu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennI tell you today that we true believers ought to rest assured that God is our shield and protection because the Lord is u003cemu003ealways u003c/emu003ewatching over us – The Lord is our shepherd.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+23u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003ePsalm 23u003c/au003e, David speaks about the Lord being his shepherd.  David said of God as his shepherd, that the Lord leads him to lie down in green pastures and besides still waters.  David said that with the Lord as his shepherd, he is u003cemu003ecomforted u003c/emu003eby His rod and staff through the valley of the shadow of death.  With God as his shepherd, David said that he feared no evil.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennI feel like we often gloss over Psalm 23 as just that passage of scripture that we had to remember as children; the words simply become words with us giving them little thought or meaning.  In that psalm, David spoke with great understanding from his own personal walk (experience) with the Lord.  We must learn to have this same kind of understanding about the Lord as our shepherd.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs our good shepherd, Jesus said that He is the u003cemu003edoorkeeper u003c/emu003eto the sheepfold of His flock (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A1-3u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 10:1-3u003c/au003e).  What does this mean?  This means that nothing can come into the fold of Christ unless u003cemu003eHe u003c/emu003eallows it.  So, there is safety and security within the fold of Christ.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs the good shepherd, Jesus goes before His flock and we, the flock, follow Him (John 10:4).  When you and I follow Christ, no matter what we face along the way, our good shepherd protects us and Jesus says that He gives His life for His flock (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A11u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 10:11u003c/au003e).  How could you not feel reassured after hearing these words from Christ?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs we know, Christ u003cemu003edid u003c/emu003elay down His life for His flock when He was crucified on the cross so that you and I could have a chance at everlasting life.  When He rose from the grave, Jesus proclaimed that all authority had been given to Him.  So, I would ask today, why would I choose for Christ to not have my back?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eOut of the shepherd’s careu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThere are several others on the other hand who do not believe that some u003cemu003e‘imaginary’ u003c/emu003eGod could ever have their back; they choose to rely on u003cemu003eothersu003c/emu003e to have their back.  Now, it is certainly a good thing when we are surrounded by people that will have our backs.  Scripture testifies that it is good to have one be able to sharpen another – that is to help and to uplift each other (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov.+27%3A17%3B+1+Thess.+5%3A11u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eProv. 27:17; 1 Thess. 5:11u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennHowever, we must be honest with the fact that we cannot have each other’s back in the manner that we wish.  What I mean by this is that we cannot have each other’s back every minute and every second of the day.  At the end of the day, we are all simply human.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennYou and I can get fatigued; we can grow weary and tired.  Not only can we grow weary and tired, there are days where we have to fight off illness and disease.  These things do not account for the fact that we will also have times where all of us have to deal with our own personal issues before we can help to deal with another’s issues.  All of these things, in itself, can make things rather difficult for us to have each other’s back around the clock.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennYes, it is a good thing to have people that can have your back, but I tell you, we need someone to have our back that can be even more reliable.  Yes, it is truly a blessing that you can be surrounded by people who have your back, u003cemu003ebut u003c/emu003eit is an even better blessing for God – the One with all authority – to have your back.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eOur Shield and Protectionu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennLast week, I referenced how when Satan wanted to put Job to the test, he remarked how the Lord had a hedge – a shield – around him (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+1%3A9u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJob 1:9u003c/au003e).  I want to show you, again this week, how the Lord moves to have the backs of those who rely on His protection.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eRevealed to mankindu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn Exodus 14, we find the children of Israel, after having left Egypt, had turned and made camp between Migdol and the sea (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex.+14%3A1u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEx. 14:1u003c/au003e); they were enjoying the blessing of their brand new freedom from living in the bondage of Egypt.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennHowever, back in Egypt, scripture shows us that Pharaoh was not happy with letting the children of Israel go.  We are told that the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, yet again, to the point that Pharaoh decided to pursue the children of Israel (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex.+14%3A4u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEx. 14:4u003c/au003e).  This was not the first time that Pharaoh’s heart had been hardened by the Lord.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, someone might ask, why did God harden the heart of Pharaoh?  What was the purpose of Him doing that?  To answer this question, we must first examine the kind of person that Pharaoh was in his heart.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs we know, the Pharaohs were the heads of the most powerful and advanced nation in the world around that period of time.  Most Pharaohs tended to think very highly of themselves which was typical of most kings, emperors, and dictators.  This Pharaoh was no different as he thought so highly of himself that he thought himself to be a god among men.  So, this Pharaoh was a very prideful man.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, there are a few reasons as to why God hardened the heart of Pharaoh’s against letting the children of Israel go.  As I mentioned in last week’s Sunday School, the primary reason that the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh was so that He could reveal to mankind His power and authority over all things (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex.+3%3A8u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEx. 3:8u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennHowever, at that same time, the Lord desired to send a message to the proud.  Again, Pharaoh thought himself to be a god because he lorded over a people that he had enslaved, so, the second reason that Pharaoh’s heart was hardened was because God sought to humble the proud.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn our scripture for today, we will see that the Lord said that He hardened the heart of Pharaoh so that Pharaoh would pursue the children of Israel.  In doing this, God said that He would gain the u003cemu003ehonor u003c/emu003eover Pharaoh (the proud) and over all his army; the Egyptians would know that He is the Lord (Ex. 14:4).  God wanted the world to know back then that He was Lord and the Lord still wants the world to know today that He is Lord of all things.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennDo you know and believe that the Lord is Lord of all things?  If so, do you believe that God’s got your back?  Wouldn’t you want the Lord to have your back?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eWhen the enemy pursues usu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs we continue through this passage of scripture, Pharaoh and his servants began to question what they had just done in freeing the children of Israel.  They said to themselves, “why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex.+14%3A5u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEx. 14:5u003c/au003e)?”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPharaoh began to make ready his chariot for pursuing the children of Israel.  Scripture tells us that he took his people with and added six hundred choice chariots to those he was taking to pursue Israel  (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex.+14%3A6u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEx. 14:6u003c/au003e).  There was appointed to all the chariots of Egypt captains to every one of them (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex.+14%3A7u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEx. 14:7u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, let us set the scene here of what we are witnessing.  As we saw in my sermon last week, the children of Israel were camping u003cemu003ein peace u003c/emu003ewith no regards as to what was happening elsewhere.  Elsewhere, Pharaoh and his sizable and well equipped army were mounting up to ride against a people who were not well equipped for any sort of battle.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPharaoh believed the children of Israel to be sitting ducks.  As we see in scripture, Pharaoh believed the children of Israel sat u003cemu003ebewildered u003c/emu003e(lost and confused) by the land and closed off from going anywhere (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex.+14%3A3u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEx. 14:3u003c/au003e).  In his mind, being able to defeat and bring them back into bondage was something that the Pharaoh considered to be nothing.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, Pharaoh and his army pursued the children of Israel with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh to the point that his horsemen and army u003cemu003eovertook u003c/emu003ethe children of Israel as they camped by the sea (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex.+14%3A8-9u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEx. 14:8-9u003c/au003e).  I can imagine what the children of Israel must have felt in that very moment of seeing Pharaoh and his army.  I imagine that their brief moment of happiness turned into hopelessness.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennI believe that this is something that we are likely very familiar with; those moments when we feel we have escaped trouble but suddenly trouble comes knocking on the door again.  Life is often like this, right?  We seemingly move from one thing to the next thing with few moments of happiness; at times it can feel like we are in the midst of a never ending storm with very few breaks.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennI want to liken Pharaoh’s pursuit of Israel into something that we as genuine believer’s face today so that we can see why we need someone reliable having our back around the clock.  As genuine followers of Christ, we have followed Christ u003cemu003eaway u003c/emu003efrom the bondage of sin – we are free from it (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A31-32u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 8:31-32u003c/au003e).  Yet, the u003cemu003emaster and ruler u003c/emu003eof that bondage is not happy with the fact that you escaped from the shackles of sin.  So, what does this ruler do?  Does he not still pursue you today?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSatan, the father of sins (John 8:44) and the one that desires for you to be in the bondage of sin, still gives chase after you because you have found freedom in Christ.  Have you never felt like Satan is hounding you and trying to draw you back into the bondage of sin?  Yes, Satan certainly operates in that invisible arena but what’s done in the dark eventually comes to light; there are times when we can u003cemu003esee u003c/emu003eSatan coming!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eWe are not defenselessu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennLike the Pharaoh, Satan pursues us with a very great army.  So, how do you stand against Satan and his army? Are you well equipped to take on this enemy or are you helpless?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIsrael, by their outward appearance, would have looked as helpless as they felt; they would have appeared to have been defenseless and an easy target for Pharaoh and his army.  Yet, I say to you today, though they may have lost hope and appeared to be defenseless, they were not defenseless by any means.  You see, God was watching over His flock and, as we know, He is a mighty good shepherd.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNotice in our key verse the mention of u003cemu003ethe u003c/emu003eAngel of God.  If you followed last week’s Sunday School lesson, you will recognize right away that this Angel was not a common angel.  No, this Angel was the pre-incarnate Christ (God the Son) and He was busy at work.  What was the Angel of God doing?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn my key verse, we are told that the Angel of God had gone u003cemu003ebefore u003c/emu003ethe camp and was the pillar of cloud that led the camp by day.  This bit of information is backed up for us in the chapter prior where scripture tells us that the u003cemu003eLord u003c/emu003ewent before the children of Israel by day u003cemu003ein a pillar of cloud u003c/emu003eto lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light so that they could go by night as well (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex.+13%3A21u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEx. 13:21u003c/au003e).  So, let us understand clearly here that God was u003cemu003ewith u003c/emu003ethe children of Israel and like a shepherd, he was u003cemu003ealways u003c/emu003ewatching over and keeping them.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, what I want you to pay especially close attention to is what the Angel of God did when Pharaoh and his army overtook the children of Israel.  Notice, again, in my key verse that the Angel of the Lord u003cemu003emoved u003c/emu003e- switched positions – from going before the camp to going u003cemu003ebehind u003c/emu003ethe camp.  I said to you today that God’s got your back and we literally see God switching positions to have the backs of the children of Israel here.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhy do you suppose that the Lord was switching positions?  I suppose the answer to this question is a simple one.  Scripture tells us that the Angel of God positioned Himself u003cemu003ebetween u003c/emu003ethe camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex.+14%3A20u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEx. 14:20u003c/au003e).  The Lord, I want you to see, was being a u003cemu003eshield u003c/emu003e(a protective barrier) for the children of Israel!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, I want you to try to picture this in your head for a moment – the pillar of cloud literally switched from being in front of the camp to being behind the camp.  Also let us understand that this was a sight that both the camps of Israel and Pharaoh would have been able to see!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eGod’s Got Your Backu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe are told in that same verse that to one side, the cloud gave light during the night (during the dark); the light would have been seen by the children of Israel.  On the other side, the cloud only gave off darkness – the Egyptians were left in the dark.  May I say to you today that those who ally with the Lord dwell in His light while those who choose not to ally with the Lord dwell in darkness.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eHe has your rearu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennOn the battlefield, it is always good to have one that can watch your flank and your six – your rear; you never want to get outflanked on the battlefield and you do not want your enemy coming up from behind you to get the easy drop on you.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe same way that the children of Israel could literally see God switching and moving positions to protect them on their journey to the Promised Land, we can see God do the same for us today.  Not only can we see God moving to protect us on our journey but, as we saw last week, we also know that He does this in the invisible arena as well.  You see, I am all about the Lord having my back and letting you know that God’s got your back as well.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs the Lord moved to shield and to protect the children of Israel, He does the same for all of us today because we are also of His flock; all who believe in Christ are of His flock (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A16u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 10:16u003c/au003e).  Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord said, “You shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight;  For the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be u003cemu003eyour rear guardu003c/emu003e (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Is.+52%3A12u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eIs. 52:12u003c/au003e).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eYour protective equipmentu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNo, the children of Israel did not have chariots to do battle with Pharaoh and his army nor did they have any weapons; they honestly did not need any of those things.  While you are on your journey, at a distance, I imagine Satan views you as easy prey.  However, when that roaring lion finally tries to run up on you, he soon realizes you are well protected!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn his letter to the Ephesians, Paul encouraged us to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph.+6%3A10u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEph. 6:10u003c/au003e).  In order to endure those afflictions and hardships, Paul encouraged us to put on the whole armor of God – our spiritual girdle, breastplate, shods, and helmet; he told us to carry with us a shield and a sword as well (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph.+6%3A11%2C13-17u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEph. 6:11,13-17u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennHowever, you will notice that in the armor of God there is no back piece;  I remember my dad pointing this out to me several years ago.  Pop asked, u003cemu003e‘why do you suppose there is no back piece to the armor?’  u003c/emu003eHe then answered for me, it’s because God’s got your back.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennI tell you today that God’s got your back.  Yes, we are being chased and pursued  by Satan and his army, yet God is watching over us this very moment.  No matter what side trouble is coming from, when Satan gets closer to you, he runs into the hedge of God – God’s protective shield.  Satan has no power to get through that shield because, as Jesus said, the good shepherd is the door to His fold – Satan can’t open the door!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAgain, I say to you that for this very reason, you and I have no reason to ever worry about the enemy getting to us.  Try as they might, the Lord will continue to give light to us – bless us – while shielding us from all danger.  Those of you who choose to solely rely on others to have your back, how are they helping you against Satan and his army?  I encourage you today, ally with the Lord – let God have your back.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e