A shield around me - by James Newton

Psalm 3
A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.
1 LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
2 Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.”
3 But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4 I call out to the LORD,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
6 I will not fear though tens of thousands
assail me on every side.
7 Arise, LORD!
Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.
8 From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.

There is much in this Psalm that has blessed and encouraged me lately. And perhaps I’ll share from this a few times more. However, today I just wanted to share an encouragement from verse 3.

What type of shield is this that David is talking about? There are two types of shield that ancient soldiers took into battle: a small one worn on the arm for fending off blows from swords etc; and the other type is a large shield about the size of a door that would almost wrap around a soldier and protect him as he hid behind it. These types of shields were used when an army besieged cities – when their General was leading them into certain danger. Troops would advance toward city walls while these shields provided protection from whatever the enemy would throw at them... hot lava, javelins, slings and arrows (of outrageous fortune ;-) )... These shields would only work, though when they were following the orders of their General and advancing toward the city. Forward into certain danger.

David was in a dangerous situation. He was scared. Fearful. Even anxious for not only was his life in danger but even his very identity. But he knew that as he trusted God - followed his General, so to speak - that God would be as one of these shields... A shield around him. This (as Timothy Keller says) is the first step out of anxious fear. Follow the General into battle, trust Him and don't turn back.

Jesus was scared as he sweated blood while he prayed in the garden. But He followed His Father, knowing He would lead Him to an agonising death on the cross. However, also knowing and trusting that God would be His shield around Him as he pressed forward and through to glory.

What are you fearful of?

May you find Father God to be a shield around you as He calls you to His purpose.