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daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
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Friday,
March
5,
2021
"A
Shield For Me"
Message summary: Today we
encourage each reader to focus on the unchanging
God, who ever remains a shield around those who
trust in Him.
Listen
to this message on your audio player.
“Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head” (Psalm 3:1-3). "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).
“Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head” (Psalm 3:1-3). "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).
This
morning I spoke to a man about a troubling
experience his son just had at school. His son and
a friend were talking about a movie they had
watched that must have included a narrative about
Hitler and the Jews. A teacher overhead them and
told them to stop talking about religion because
it made her feel "uncomfortable".
This
of course was confusing and troubling to the man's
son. First of all they weren't even talking about
religion and secondly the whole notion of
overhearing a conversation and making such an
assumption is absurd. Even if they were talking
about religion her hypersensitivity is still
uncalled for! But that's getting more and more
common these days leading to a designation
"snowflake" which the urban dictionary defines as
"a very sensitive person. Someone who is easily
hurt or offended by the statements or actions of
others."
I
shared the daily text with my friend who told me
he would share it with his son. It's a fitting
verse for any situation(s) in which we may be
troubled.
“Lord, how are they increased that
trouble me! Many are they that rise up against
me. Many there be which say of my soul, There
is no help for him in God." Many
of us can identify with David’s desperate cry to
God in these verses. Our circumstances differ but
we have all experienced the presence of foes;
physical, emotional and spiritual.
And
as they did in David's time they continue to voice
the same dispiriting words, “There is no help
in God” Undoubtedly some of you are dealing
with this kind of emotional turmoil today. And
your greatest foe, Satan, unceasingly torments.
Martin Luther wrote, “But still our ancient foe,
doth seek to work us woe.” And some 500 years
later he still does.
David wrote this portion of Scripture when he was forced to flee from his rebellious son Absalom. The historical record of that uprising is found in 2 Samuel 13ff. David had been at the height of his power when he committed his most famous sin (2 Samuel 11), a "private matter" which had wide and lasting consequences. Although he eventually repented, a chain of events had been initiated of which he had little control. That's the way sin works. Now the great king is fighting for his life, his chief human adversary being his very own son.
The word “Selah” in the text is an actual transliteration of the Hebrew. In other words like “Hallelujah” and “Amen” it sounds the same in English as in Hebrew. It is thought to be a musical term indicating a pause. I read a comment that suggests it calls the reader to pause and contemplate on what has been written and prepare for what is coming next. For many years we have appreciated a musical group called Selah.
The very first reference to “shield” in the Bible, used in a spiritual sense, was the time the Lord spoke to Abraham. “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am Your shield, Your very great reward” (Genesis 15:1). Perhaps David recalled this passage when he confidently declared, “But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me”. Many versions further elaborate "around me". This shield does not just protect from only one direction, but it surrounds us. David had a firm grounding in this glorious, unchanging truth. The remainder of Psalm 3 is a confident expression of faith in God’s care.
Throughout the Psalms David uses the image of a shield to describe the care and power of God. Here’s another example from the Psalms: “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song” (Psalm 28:7).
David wrote this portion of Scripture when he was forced to flee from his rebellious son Absalom. The historical record of that uprising is found in 2 Samuel 13ff. David had been at the height of his power when he committed his most famous sin (2 Samuel 11), a "private matter" which had wide and lasting consequences. Although he eventually repented, a chain of events had been initiated of which he had little control. That's the way sin works. Now the great king is fighting for his life, his chief human adversary being his very own son.
The word “Selah” in the text is an actual transliteration of the Hebrew. In other words like “Hallelujah” and “Amen” it sounds the same in English as in Hebrew. It is thought to be a musical term indicating a pause. I read a comment that suggests it calls the reader to pause and contemplate on what has been written and prepare for what is coming next. For many years we have appreciated a musical group called Selah.
The very first reference to “shield” in the Bible, used in a spiritual sense, was the time the Lord spoke to Abraham. “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am Your shield, Your very great reward” (Genesis 15:1). Perhaps David recalled this passage when he confidently declared, “But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me”. Many versions further elaborate "around me". This shield does not just protect from only one direction, but it surrounds us. David had a firm grounding in this glorious, unchanging truth. The remainder of Psalm 3 is a confident expression of faith in God’s care.
Throughout the Psalms David uses the image of a shield to describe the care and power of God. Here’s another example from the Psalms: “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song” (Psalm 28:7).
In
the New Testament Paul speaks of the shield in the
armor of God in Ephesians 6 as a defense weapon
against the "flaming arrows of the evil one".
Today we encourage each reader to focus on this unchanging God, who ever remains a shield around those who trust in Him. Should you ever face a situation when you are are being taunted by the devil's insidious lie, "there is no hope in God", call to mind this powerful, uplifting, and strengthening Psalm, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, there are many foes standing
ready to attack. The enemy’s ammunition seems
relentless coming from every direction but I am
thoroughly protected by Your impenetrable shield
that completely surrounds me. Fear misguides, but
faith guides me into an enduring trust in Your
unfailing love. You are My shelter from the stormy
blast of Satan’s weaponry. You lift up my head as I
am encouraged and filled with hope by all that You
will do on my behalf right here and now. And even
more so my hope remains firm and secure in what You
are doing to prepare my future eternal home. Amen.
We consider the many products that have
made some people and companies a lot of money this
last year such as masks, cleaning supplies, hand
cleansers and face shields. These are all intended
to protect us from germs and specifically the
virus. But today we considered another shield also
designed to protect. In the Bible the shield was
literally a broad piece of defensive armor carried
on the arm but all through the Bible "shield" also
conveys a spiritual truth such as today's text.Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Lord of Hosts"
Psalm 46 Video
Shane & Shane
Spurgeon writes,
Like the Spartans, every
Christian is born a warrior. It is his
destiny to be assaulted; it is his duty to
attack. Part of his life will be occupied
with defensive warfare. He will have to
defend earnestly the faith once delivered
to the saints; he will have to resist the
devil; he will have to stand against all
his wiles; and having done all, still to
stand. He will, however, be but a sorry
Christian if he acteth only on the
defensive. He must be one who goes against
his foes, as well as stands still to
receive their advance.
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Weber".Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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