My Shield

Psa 3:1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

Psa 3:2 Many there be
which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

Psa 3:3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Psa 3:4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

Psa 3:5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

Psa 3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

Psa 3:7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

Psa 3:8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

 

Ever have one of those days that seem to stretch into one of those weeks, months, or years? It is inevitable that hard times will come to us at some point in life. There are two primary reasons for those times. The first is chastisement. The second is persecution from the father of lies. Satan under authority of God is sent to try our lives. If you do not believe this, then read the book of Job. It is this second idea that I wish to address in this writing.

Often it will seem that persons or circumstances are stacked against us. They are pressing in and bringing us trouble. They surround us and their numbers are multiplying. It is at these times that we will feel it is time to surrender or that there is no help. This is the voice of Satan telling you that God is not there for you. Do not listen to the father of lies. Hold fast your faith with a good conscience. In this passage God gives us some real quantifiable aspects upon which to anchor this hope.

Number one, God is your shield. I remember as a young child being so afraid of the baseball that I could hardly stand in the batter's box without trembling so uncontrollably that I could not hit. The pitcher would start his windup and I would start moving my feet back. My father, earthly that is, decided to help me with this problem (I would never endorse this training method). He put me in the box and promised that everything would be alright. I had a helmet on and he could throw the ball anywhere he wanted. He went to the mound, he began his windup, I stood firm, he let the ball go, and he hit me in the helmet and knocked me down. He then stood the six-year old me on my feet and laughed. He said, "See the helmet works and you are alright. I told I could throw it anywhere I wanted. Now since you are ok I want to you to remember this, the protection works, and no you face will throw the ball this hard." From that time I had confidence, because I knew the helmet worked. It was my shield. Now I know I just compared God to a helmet, and He is far better. What I am saying is God is my shield. I step up in life and I face down troubles day in and day out. Many look like wild pitches ready to take my head off, but my Father (heavenly one) is there to protect me and give me strength.

Next, God is my glory. There is a verse that says the glory of an old man is his gray hair, and the glory of the young man is a strong body. When God is our glory we do not have to be strong or wise. We can rest in the Lord.

Next, He lifts up our heads. No need to walk head down in defeat. These things cannot remove our eternal life. They cannot remove our God's love. They cannot remove anything in our lives without God's approval. So hold your head up.

Finally, God hears you. Let Him know how you feel. Let him know what is going on in your life. He knows but He still wants to hear your prayers. It does you good to vent to the only one who can change anything in this universe.

So relax, rest, and know God is behind you. Trials will come and they are never pleasant but God can do mighty works through your life.