August 2, 2018 - - Psalm 7:10, Proverbs 2:6-8 - - God our Shield
/My shield is with God,
who saves the upright in heart.
Psalm 7:10 ESV
For the LORD gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of the way of his saints.
Proverbs 2:6-8 ESV
The Names of God found in Scripture move me and capture my imagination. This morning my devotions led me to read of Jesus as our Shield. That old-fashioned word, shield, has modern applications. For example you have a windshield in your car that protects you from flying debris. And those who weld have a face shield which protects them from the intense heat and the protective glass protects their eyes from the intense light.
Jesus is our Shield. The Holiness of God burns with such intensity and purity that we immediately know our sin. Whenever we approach Him in Scripture reading and prayer we would come undone, disintegrate. Jesus is at the right hand of God, His sacrifice at the cross shields us from God's right and just wrath against our sin. Jesus' prayers shield us as He prays to the Father, taking away our sins and shielding us with His perfect righteousness.
Jesus offers us His Shield, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is a shield to those who walk in integrity. Like a car's windshield that protects the driver from stones and the force of the wind when traveling, the Holy Spirit, by the Scripture, by His Presence in the heart of the believer and through the community of faith is Jesus' gift of the Living Shield guarding believers in all their ways. Protecting us from the attacks of the enemy. Alerting us to the things which might hurt us our damage our relationship with God.
Blessed Father in Heaven, to Abraham You promised You would be his shield and very great reward. As the drama of Scripture unfolds we understand the fulfilment to be Jesus, Who is our Shield. Blessed be Your Name, Lord Jesus Christ, our Shield and Defender. We praise You, O God, for the gift of the Holy Spirit, our shield guarding us against the attacks of the enemy and traps and stones we would never anticipate. Thank You, Spirit of God, that You lead us in the path of wisdom and of life. Great are You, LORD God, and worthy of glory! Great are You LORD God, and worthy of all praise. Amen.
