“Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night.”—Exodus 14:19-20
Think of the drama! The Israelites, two million strong, were trekking toward the wilderness when they found themselves trapped.
The Red Sea was ahead of them, the angry Egyptians on chariots were behind them, and there was no possible exit to the right or left. Understandably, they were helpless and terrified. They fully expected to be massacred and have their bodies strewn across the landscape as a witness to Egyptian cruelty and superiority.
But thankfully, the Angel of the Lord did not withdraw in Israel’s desperate time of need; rather, the Angel moved to provide protection. The cloud sent to guide them moved to the back of the large assembly and hovered between the Israelites and the Egyptians all night so that the Egyptians could not touch the Israelites.
Today, we’re under attack. The devil seeks to destroy us, modern culture seeks to seduce us, and our own sin natures deceive us. Only the presence of God can keep us from succumbing to fear and, more ominously, falling into the sin that seeks to entangle us.
Only God can protect us and our children from the wiles of the devil. That’s why Jesus prayed that we might be “kept from the evil one” (John 17:15).
Let us pray that His presence might put a barrier between us and the enemies of our souls.
Let Us Pray
Father, I pray that You will protect me from the evil one. I pray that You will be a shield about me, behind, beneath, and above. Help me to detect Satan’s wiles, his deceitful ways, and his suggestions. I confess my sins and receive Your forgiveness that I might be clean before You. May there be no evil crevice within my soul that gives Satan permission to tempt or harass me. Put a cloud of glory between me and Satan.
I pray for _____ that they might be protected from Satan’s designs. Put distance between them and sin; place Your Spirit between them and the deceptions of the flesh. Protect them from pornography, from sexual temptations, and lies that permeate our culture. Protect them from evil people, from those who would deceive, manipulate, or even destroy. Deliver us from all evil, I pray. I trust Your Word to do as You have promised.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.