“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NIV).

I was on solo foot patrol one afternoon at W135 St. & Lenox Ave. in Harlem, New York, when a fight erupted across the street from where I was standing. I had been trained to never go running into a situation such as this—you must take a second or two to properly assess everything and ascertain who all the participants are. Also, as a good cop, you learn to handle things on your post. You shouldn’t have to call for back-up every time you’re faced with a job. Anyway, this dispute did not appear to be calming down on its own, so I took my baton from its holder and started heading toward the melee. As I was crossing the street I heard, “I got your back.” The voice was deep and from a higher angle. I never turned around to see who it was as I was focused on the combatants and formulating how I was going to deal with this. I handled the incident, but I never saw the source of that voice who “had my back” and thus never thanked him.

All through the Bible, God tells us He has our back. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) says, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.”

Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God, and he goes on to describe the pieces. If you really take a look at that Scripture, there is nothing to protect your back. I have heard it said that it’s because you are advancing and not retreating. Perhaps it’s because God has got your back! He’s got that part covered!

“Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind”

(Isaiah 58:8).  —submitted by Rodney Harrison, US