Many nations are today much concerned about their defenses. In the military field they are spending many billions for this purpose. Extensive plans for the defense of civilians against the possible consequences of nuclear warfare are being worked out. Both military and civilian defense are getting the maximum of attention.
But what of spiritual defense? Is this not, after all, the fundamental need? Vast armies and massive defense works have their place, but of what avail are they if the people do not strengthen their courage and their faith through reliance upon the omnipotent power of God? Armies may retreat or surrender; great fortifications may be demolished or outflanked; underground shelters may prove inadequate. But reliance upon divine power is always available and ever adequate.
Leaders of men have often realized the necessity of this trust in God. Through many of the psalms, a number of which were written by the great warrior-poet King David, runs the theme expressed in Psalm 7, "My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart." The Preacher in the book of Ecclesiastes obviously thought that this dependence upon divine Mind was more important than physical might in any form, for he relates in the ninth chapter that "there was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it . . .: now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city" (verses 14, 15). This led the Preacher to conclude that "wisdom is better than weapons of war."
