The LORD Our Shield

"Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God." Selah ³ But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head."

Psalm 3:2-3

When I read this passage it occurred to me David's knowledge of God lead him to rest and confidence believers can sometimes lack.  The circumstances around the penning of this psalm was Absalom had declared himself king in Hebron, David's most trusted advisor and many others defected and conspired with him, and thus David fled from Jerusalem to prevent bloodshed.  One might expect David to pray for protection for his household and himself, yet instead David acknowledged God was a shield for him.

Do you see the difference between praying to God for protection and knowing God is your shield?  Since God was David's shield in Whom he sought refuge in by faith there was no need for him to pray for protection.  Of course there is nothing wrong with praying for God to protect us, but reading David's words gave me pause to consider how many things I have prayed for God to do for me or others that He always is for us.  There were many people who said there was no help for David in God, but God was a shield for David, his glory and the One who lifts up his head.

David's help was not in his army, the defenses of Jerusalem or in the wisdom of his advisors but in God who was his shield.  Because God is the LORD and sovereign over all, it did not matter if David prayed from the Mount Moriah or as he ascended the Mount of Olives:  David was heard and God was his shield, glory and lifter of His head.  Blessed is the man whose head is lifted by the LORD, whose eyes are fixed upon our Saviour Jesus Christ who is KING OF KINGS!

The LORD is near to all who cry out to Him and protects us, and Philippians 4:4-7 says:  "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. ⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  By faith let us draw near to the gracious God who has revealed Himself to us Who guards, keeps and shields us from harm with His perfect peace.