Sadly, we have all seen the images on television of the riot police lined up in full combat gear, with shield in hand as they seek to restore order during civil unrest and trouble. Often the case when crowds of people have been unpeacefully protesting or with the tribal rivalry between football fans. It can be a shocking site as makeshift grenades are thrown in their direction or when the crowd begin to run at them, but how much worse would it be without the shield they carry!
This week’s thought takes another description of God in picture language, with the author (David) describing the Lord as ‘my strength and my shield…’
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Psalm 28:7 – NIV
David was accustomed to the ways of war, he was a warrior king, he would have considered it a necessity for himself to have and use a shield, for not only did it offer a means of protection during a time of war, but it would also provide shade during the heat of day and shelter to rest under at night. It would have protected him from wild animals also.
The Bible (and particularly the Old Testament) uses the image of a shield often to describe something of God. ‘Shield’ is defined as meaning to protect, guard, defend, shelter, screen, and safety amongst other things. This alone helps us realise why David would describe God in this way for this is what God does.
Unlike David, not many of us have any need to carry a shield around with us but I hope the image of this description is not lost having considered its function.
When we are feeling attacked, in trouble, discouraged, weak, afraid, or vulnerable this verse is worth drawing on. David during his moments of utter despair was able to declare God is his strength, God is his shield – the one who will protect and guard him, the one who will defend and keep him safe. Perhaps for you there are situations and moments you are dealing with where you need to know this truth in your life. That you would hold onto God as your shield, who would strengthen you.
David also declared ‘my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.’, trusting the Lord is not always straightforward, I would guess particularly in a war situation, but (I know) just in the pressures of modern life. Trusting God with all our heart, to be our shield, trusting him to help is something we should all long to grow in and deepen.
I have noticed that the badge used on most of the UK Emergency Services contains some kind shield image as part of their logo or uniform, I guess for many of the reasons we have already talked about. The wonderful thing about God is that he is not just available when we have an emergency, he doesn’t just jump into action when he is called upon, he is constant and always for us, always there for us and so I encourage you this week to reflect yourself on this significant image of God as our shield. How will it impact you every day?
Here are some more references to this image in the Bible. I hope they will help you as you ponder more this week.
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
(Proverbs 30:7)
“His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
(Psalm 91:4)
“After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”.” (Genesis 15:1)
“You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.
(Psalm 119:114)
“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.” (Ephesians 6:16)
