My defender is alive

Wednesday February 16, 2022

My defender is alive

Search the Scriptures

Behold my servant, whom I will uphold... He will not break the broken reed, nor quench the still burning wick, he will declare justice in truth. He will not be discouraged or let up, until he has established justice on the earth... "Me, the Eternal, I have called you for salvation... to bring out the captives out of prison, and those who dwell in darkness out of their dungeon." Isaiah 42.1, 3-4, 6-7

I was blown away watching Archie Williams' performance on America's Got Talent 2020. This man was imprisoned 36 years, without concrete evidence, in a penitentiary in Louisiana for a crime he did not commit. The Innocence Project association defended him and after a long journey, won his case. His spokesperson said : "I think the best thing a lawyer can do with his degree is get an innocent man out of jail."

Not all prisons are material... How many people are unfairly judged, "locked up", without any other form of trial, because they are victims of gossip, rumours, false accusations. They have been ostracized from any community, without being given the right to defend themselves. And even if they tried to do so, it would risk doing them a disservice, as the song by Yves Duteil says : "Calumny, the more one denies, the more it swells, the more it rejoices. To deny, to protest, is still to propagate it. It can kill without reason, without culprit and without prison." The damage suffered is almost irreparable.

Some can revolt like Job and fall into depression : "I am innocent, and God refuses me justice ; I am right, and I pass for a liar ; my wound is painful, and I am without sin." (Job 34.5-6)

But what hope to know that we have a defender, a lawyer, who will do everything to get us out of this prison ! The Sower version translates the "parakletos" of John 16.7 as "Defender" in righteousness. It is the Holy Spirit, the spirit of Jesus, the spirit of the servant of whom Isaiah spoke.

Your God will come for retribution. God will settle accounts. "He himself will come and save you." (Isaiah 35.4)

Listen the voice of God

Let's take the time to listen to what God wants to say. Perhaps, you cry out at this moment like the psalmist : "Do me justice, O God, defend my cause" (Psalms 43.1)! Let the Lord encourage you with these words : "Have no fear..."

Praying is simple. Speak to God as you do to a close friend. Here is an example of a prayer : "Lord, I am like a fading flame, locked up in a dungeon of gossip. "But I know that my Defender lives" (Job 19:25). wash away my dishonor yourself."

Praise God

Now take a time to thank the Lord for all the times He has already stood up for you, and for His justice to come.

Act today

Today we invite you to list the situations for which you expect God to bring justice, then write a statement of confidence to proclaim each day. For example : "Lord my God, Lord of hosts, I know that you fight for me, I give you this situation. I declare and I believe that you will act !"

Honor the Lord

Our journey for the day ends. Let us pray together to honor our God.

"Thank you Lord, for you are my defender and my advocate. Yours be the reign, the power and the glory, amen !"

Catherine Gotte Avdjian

Source (The Thought of the Day)