God's Shield

GOD’S SHIELD

MAN’S WAYS ARE NOT GOD’S WAYS

The Bible teaches us that man’s ways seem right, but they actually lead to failure and disappointment. However, God’s ways lead us to success and blessings. God’s ways and man’s ways are poles apart. If we as believers were to seek God’s perspective on matters and not the way man looks at things, we can then expect wonderful things to manifest in our lives. There are special rewards for those who seek God’s view rather than the view man takes.

The Bible teaches us that God never changes – He is the same yesterday, today and forever. But it is man who changes. We can see with changes in fashions, styles, music preferences, financial markets (for example, gold may be popular for a season but it can lose it’s appeal overnight), politics, governments etc.

Praise God - He never changes. If we can learn to see the way God sees, to feel the way God feels, to respond the way God responds, there will be many victories to be won – and it’s all about a SHIELD.

THE SHIELD AND THE REWARD

Geneses 15:1

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your exceeding great reward.”

This is the most important chapter in the Old testament. It deals essentially with God’s everlasting covenant with mankind, through Abraham, and fulfilled through Jesus. This covenant is the source of all our blessings and promises. Those who have accepted Jesus, are of the seed of Abraham and heirs to all the promises. And it begins with two promises – the shield and the reward.

Let us consider the shield

A shield is a protective device used to avoid harm. When God says “I will be your shield”, what does He mean.

LIKE AN ASTRONAUT

Let us take an astronaut who lands on the moon. He is from a different planet and cannot survive on the moon without a shield which protects him. All the life-giving substance is provided within the shield – his air, his water and his food. He survives on a foreign planet because of the shield which contains his protection and life-supply and which is compatible with his own planet. The moon cannot provide him any of this and therefore without the shield (space suit), he will die.

Now he does not belong there, he belongs on the earth. But he is able to do things as long as shield is in place. He is sustained by means of a foreign life supply - not from the moon but from the earth. If the shield were to break, or were to be removed, it would mean certain death.

SUPERNATURAL SUPPLY

As a born again believer filled with God’s Spirit you are a foreigner in this present world. We are in the world but not of the world. The only way to survive, therefore, is to have the shield of God from which all the supernatural supply is provided. No shield, no life-giving substance. The only way to survive is to have the shield of God in place. You are sustained from a foreign supply - supernatural provision. This is vital for your spiritual survival

The world says “born to be free”. But we say “born-again to be free”. The only way is to have God’s shield on which provides God’s covenant blessings. It is the only way to survive in times of famine (your supply come from your shield), in times of war, fear and violence.

TOTAL COVERING

By now you should have gathered that God’s shield is not a protective device that you place in front of you when engaging the enemy in warfare. But it is a total protection – front, back, over your head, on your sides and under your feet. Perhaps we can deduce from this teaching, that when God says “I am your shield”, that you are protected in a “cocoon” type enclosure. Because when God protects you, the devil cannot get at you, no matter at what angle he tries to attack you.

SHIELD BREAKERS

The following can be regarded as “shield breakers”. Remember once again, God’s ways are not man’s ways.

Sin, Disobedience And Rebellion

These are most definitely shield breakers – sin, disobedience and rebellion. And remember, when you lose your shield, you lose your reward. The shield and the reward go hand in hand.

Adam and Eve

God told Adam and Eve that they could enjoy everything in the garden except for one tree. God had more information about this tree than Adam and Eve and knew that this tree was not suitable for them. But because of sin, disobedience and rebellion, they lost their shield which was a covering around their bodies, and subsequently lost their reward. They were aware of their nakedness. (The shield covered them). If God warns us against something, we should accept it without any argument – He knows better.