He WIll Shield You

Psalm 23:1 THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.

 
He feeds us, guides us and also shields us. To shield means to serve as a protection or act as a defense. Our Shepherd prevents us from being harmed or damaged. He keeps us safe and secure. I love what David said in Psalms 3:1-3  1LORD, HOW they are increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.  2Many are saying of me, There is no help for him in God. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! 3But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Not only did David recognize that God was his defense, but he had complete and utter trust that the Lord would come through for him every time. He said, you are my shield- my glory and the lifter of my head. Read it another way- O Lord you are my protection and defense, my success and my triumph, the reason I can confidently stand with my head held high in the midst of adversity!

Throughout the Old Testament you can read the account of David’s  life. Not only was he a mighty king, but he was also a man of war. He was constantly out fighting the Amalakites, or the Hittites, or some other Ites. Many times he was in real jeopardy of not only losing his own life, but the lives of his family and his people. However, if you read things from his perspective in the Psalms you will see that no matter how pressed he was, no matter what kind of trouble he was in, he always relied upon the Lord to be his shield and strength. Even if he starts off, “Many are they who rise up against me” he ends with “But you, O Lord, art a shield for me.” He trusted in the promises of God that he would be protected even in the midst of peril and danger.

The pressures and trials that we experience in this day and time are quite different than the ones faced by David. Instead of worrying that some neighboring king is going to come and kidnap our children, we may have to deal with our kids being sick. Instead of being concerned that an army is going to come and loot our houses taking all of our possessions, we may have the worry of wondering how we are going to make ends meet. Instead of being anxious that we are going to be captured and enslaved by an enemy, we may have to struggle to stay free in our thoughts and minds. In spite of the challenges we face, we too can use the words of King David found in Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him.

The Real Father of the Year!

Matthew 6:9-13  9Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name.  10Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.    11Give us this day our daily bread.   12And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our debtors.  13And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Jesus gave the people specific instructions on how to pray. He started off with Our Father Who is in heaven. Let’s stop there for a minute. Do we truly have a revelation that God is our Father? Malachi 2:10 asks the question- 10Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? If you had or still have a wonderful father, it might be easier for you to accept the comparison of God having that role in your life. Some of you, however might not have had a great dad, so the thought of God being your father might not bring you that much joy. Psalm 68:5 says 5A father of the fatherless and a judge and protector of the widows is God in His holy habitation. No matter what your perceptions of fatherhood are all about, I would ask you to put them aside for the next few minutes. A father is not only someone who has produced an offspring, but is also defined as someone who brings up and looks after a child, who acts like a father by giving advice, comfort and protection. God is all of this and more and throughout the Word we can find His promises to us.

We see in Proverbs 31:5-6 5Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.    6In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. If we will trust and rely upon the Lord, He will give us advice and direction for our lives. John 14:18 says 18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. A few verses earlier Jesus says 16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. God the Father first sent Jesus His Son to bring us comfort, then when He left God gave us the Holy Spirit to live on the inside of us to comfort us whenever we need it. As children of God we are also promised His protection. We know from the beautiful words of the Psalmist in Psalm 91:1 1HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. Even if your natural father was amazing, he still could never compare to how great God is.

Take a minute today to talk to your Heavenly Father. Thank Him for being everything that you need and more. Tell Him that you love Him and you are glad that you are a part of His family.