The Lord is your shield, shelter, refuge, strong tower, and defense. Do you believe this? If God is your shield, doesn’t that mean that there is a reason that you need a shield? If you need a shield, that also means your Christian life will not be easy because the Devil is the one who fires all the fiery arrows of attack, hardship, difficulty, and much more. You are sure to find yourself in a battle.
To follow Jesus Christ is no picnic. But a treacherous journey into combat against a fierce enemy. Do not fear, for the Lord will protect you when you keep your faith in Him. There is nothing that can come against you. The Lord allows every attack, sickness, or struggle against you and will turn it all into something for your good.
Nothing will happen to you without His permission. Though the Devil thinks he has a chance to tear you down and destroy you. The Lord will use those same events to strengthen, mold, instruct, and build your integrity to serve the Lord with more veracity. He will even turn the attack back onto the attacker with His hand.
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Genesis 50:20
Twice the Lord pointed out Job as a righteous and blameless man to Satan. Who feared God and turned away from evil. He permitted Satan to send attacks upon him so that Job would be tested, tried, and justified. He was proving the integrity and faith Job possessed.
And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Job 1:8 Again, the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to destroy him without reason.” Job 2:3
Many times trials and tests help refine you and make you more like God. The purpose of trials is to prove to the world “what you are made of.” When you are victorious through a test, it shows your trust in God and shows others the meaning of faith and integrity. The integrity that only comes from His righteousness.
As severe as the trials are, God allowed them to happen. Job had to suffer much to prove he was worthy, to prove his faith and integrity. Job had no Bible or scriptures, but he knew the Lord and trusted in Him completely. Job said that no matter what happened to him, he would trust the Lord even if God took his life.
“Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may. Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand? Though He slay me, I will hope in Him; yet I will argue my ways to His face. This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before Him. Job 13:13-16
You may think prosperity and a smooth, easy living are evidence of God’s favor and approval. But you would be wrong; this is not usually the case, though there have been a few men God found worthy of riches. True riches come from within, and the ability to not allow it to ruin oneself is rare. The ability to handle wealth properly comes from a humble and pure heart led by Godly integrity. Not willing to stoop down to manipulate by wickedness. God looks to the lowly and humble, then rewards them accordingly.
Satan rewards the sinner with worldly wealth. He gives to draw away a soul from trusting God to trust possessions instead. The Devil gives with the intent to destroy them. God can only trust the righteous with the wealth of this world, but He does not give it to just anyone. Through many fierce tests, trials, and afflictions, they must prove to God that they are worthy.
Job proved himself worthy to God to be able to handle the wealth of this world. He rewarded him for his faithful endurance. Because of his righteous integrity, godly character, and virtue. Job desired to use it for good and not all for himself. It showed God what he was made of.
For to this, you have been called because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you might follow in His steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:21-23
No one can achieve God’s will without these times of difficulty, pain, and struggle. Because this is how God changes you from what you used to be into who He wants you to be. Everyone will see your true integrity when you go through a severe trial. It will become self-evident. Either it will be solid and worthy of God’s praise or not.
It is the same with those who seek to enter the Kingdom of God or desire to be the greatest in God’s eyes. The righteous will gain ground in the Kingdom of Heaven with great struggle and difficulty. You will be molded and shaped into His image with great effort and humility. Yet, you are fighting your way forward, battling against the wickedness determined to destroy you. All the more reason you need God to be your shield.
Think of a weight lifter; he can not become stronger and stronger if he does not lift heavier and heavier weights. So likewise, the Servant of the Lord has to endure heavier and heavier loads to grow stronger and mightier in righteousness and to defeat the temptations of the Devil.
Look at all the godly servants of the Lord, such as Job, Moses, Abraham, David, Daniel, Jeremiah, and more. Each one had a life marked by suffering and trials. But, as a result, they became stronger and more righteous and worthy of being called servants of the Lord. Even to the point that it was said of them, “Of whom the world was not worthy.” In the eyes of the Lord, they were the most worthy in the world.
Be not afraid of the stresses and the heavyweights put upon you in this life, but bear them up like you are in training for what is ahead. The Lord is your strength, protector, defender, hope, and shield. He is always there beside you and will never leave or forsake us. God will use each critical moment to build your strength and stamina to handle what lies ahead.
God will get you through it. Trust Him. He will defend your life until the end. Have faith in Him. Someday you will be more than just a doorkeeper in the House of the Lord because you trusted in God as your shield.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah, Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed! For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you! Psalm 84:8-12
The Soul Sower 