Shield

Genesis 15:1 NKJV

Psalm 18:2 NKJV

Psalm 28:7 NKJV

Proverbs 30:5 NKJV

From the Beginning

Genesis 15:1, “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

When God spoke these words to Abram in a vision, it came at a time when Abram desperately needed a promise that God would take care of him. In this case, Abram was afraid because he had just defeated several neighboring tribes with an army of 318 men. The tribes he defeated were much larger than his, and he could have feared their retribution. God was assuring him that he was his shield.

Also, Abram was not a young man and his wife had not conceived. In Genesis 15:2-4 we read, “But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!” And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.”

The common thread of God’s promise of protection often comes when we are feeling afraid or alone. God does not want us to live in fear. Even though Abram was surrounded by enemies and he had no heir (his wife Sarah was no longer young), God knew He had a plan.

God did not want Abram to be afraid of his enemies or of being childless.

In the same way, God does not want us to be afraid.

Ever.

God promised to protect and shield Abram and He promises to protect and shield us.

In Psalm 28:7, “The Lord is my strength and my shield;

My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;

Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,

And with my song I will praise Him.”

Throughout David’s early life he continued to be pursued by his enemies, and by King Saul. In Psalm 28:7, David writes from a perspective of assurance. David asked for help, and God responded in mighty ways.

In Psalm 18:2, David wrote “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

When David spoke these words he had just defeated the armies of all his enemies and the army of King Saul. David had most likely been on the run from King Saul’s men for years and according to the prologue of this Psalm, David “spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all of his enemies and from the hand of Saul.”

God was David’s great shield and deliverer.

We read in Proverbs 30:5, “Every word of God is pure;

He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.”

Wise King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 30:5 reminding us that the Word of God is pure and reliable. Solomon tells us God IS a shield for those who trust in God.

From before the beginning of creation, God was, is, and has always been a protector. God’s intent for Adam and Eve was that they would be protected in the Garden. Even after they were cast out of the Garden after listening to the serpent, God remained a protector and shield for those who turn to God.

Today’s Spiritual Practice is: Recognize God as your Shield

Today, envision God as your shield and protector.

In God, Deborah

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