God Our Shield

"But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. ¹² For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; with favour You will surround him as with a shield."

Psalm 5:11-12

All who put their trust in the LORD have great cause to rejoice forever.  I like how David's focus is not on the elimination of enemies and potential threats, but he urged believers to shout for joy because God was like a shield that surrounded and protected His people from all harm.

It makes sense in a battle for a warrior to hold fast to sword and shield, but once the battle is over the sword could safely be placed in a scabbard and the shield set down.  David's delight in God as a shield is important because he viewed Him as necessary for life and every blessing.  God is greater than all our enemies in the physical and spiritual realms put together!  All attacks of enemies were as nothing as long as God protected him, and it is good to realise God also protects us.  No fiery dart can shatter the shield of faith we wield by the power of the Holy Spirit when we rely on Jesus Christ.

There were many shouts on the field of battle:  shrieks of terror, communication between officers and troops, and shouts of triumph.  We can shout for joy forever without fear, dread or worry because God's grace surrounds us like a shield.  There is not one aspect of our hearts, minds or lives that is beyond His grace to protect.  What confidence we can have in God regardless of enemies which come against us, whether it be a giant of great stature like Goliath, Rabshakeh who hurled threats and sought to erode confidence in God, Midianites who gathered like locusts too numerous to count, or Satan with subtle temptations.  Joy is a result of being born again by faith in Jesus, as it is a fruit of the Spirit.  To those God has imputed righteousness through the Gospel, we love Him because He first loved us.

Surrounded by God and His love and grace, what appears to be our doom from a worldly vantage point is only the means of drawing us closer to God.  Our rejoicing ought to be in the LORD--more than the vanquishing of our enemies or the protection afforded us by God.  We ought to acknowledge how the living God has richly blessed and protected us all our lives, and let us rejoice in Him.  He is worthy of all trust and praise forever, for He is the LORD of all who has surrounded us with grace as with a shield.