JANUARY 3
Psalm 3:3, “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”
The Psalm tells us of its context. David had fled from his son, Absalom, who formed a conspiracy to take away not only David’s crown, but his life. One can only imagine the distress and despair that David must have experienced.
We all face difficult circumstances, in which troubles, or even people, appear to be working against our wellbeing. David invested his trust in God and in His ability to protect him. The Lord was a shield about him. I was recently at the dentist for a root canal. When it came time for x-rays, the assistant laid a lead blanket over me, the purpose of which was to protect my vital parts from radiation. David had the Lord Himself for a shield, but not just for a part of his body or temporarily. The word in the original speaks of a protection all around—above, beneath, around, without and within.
The Lord was also David’s glory. Some place confidence in their looks, intelligence, wealth, power or prestige. David’s security and worth were founded in God. Many were against him, but they were no match for God omnipotent (Psalm 3:1-2). Imagine how downcast David must have been. But then it was the Lord who lifted his head, much as a flower is lifted up towards the sun.
Two key words made the difference in David’s situation—“But you (Psalm 3:3)!” You’ve your own struggles and to the extent that you focus on them, you’ll despair. But in Jesus, you’ve a guardian of your soul, who is well able to impart both peace and joy to your heart (1 Peter 2:25; Philippians 4:1, 6-8).
“Oh! What a shield is God for His people! He wards off the fiery darts from Satan from beneath, and the storms of trials from above, while, at the same instant, he speaks peace to the tempest within the breast.” — Charles Spurgeon
Application questions: What was your response the last time you found yourself in an overwhelming situation? How can reminding yourself that God is a shield about you help?
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