God Is Our Shield!
"But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,
my glory and the One who lifts up my
head…. I lay down and slept; I awoke,
for the Lord sustained me. I will not
be afraid."
Psalm 3:3-6
King David’s darkest days were when he fled
Jerusalem, pursued by his own army, that came
under the control of his rebellious son Absalom.
David’s heart was broken by family problems, and
his crown was threatened by national rebellion. In
this setting, he wrote Psalm 3: “Lord, how they
have increased who trouble me!” (verse 1)
David had been reading Genesis 15:1,
where the Lord told Abraham, “Do not
be afraid, Abram. I am your shield.”
David claimed that concept for himself, seeing
his God as a shield that surrounded him in all
directions like a globe of grace. Then he could
lay down and go to sleep, unafraid. He knew
God still loved him.
When difficulties arise, remember we can
remain hopeful because
our God is a shield
around us. There is no situation we cannot
face with His divine love around and
within
us.
"Psalms are inexhaustible, and
deserve to be read, said, sung,
chanted, whispered, learned by
heart, and even shouted from
the rooftops."
N. T. Wright