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 politics, governments etc. For example, gold may be popular for a season but it can lose its appeal overnight,
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.
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 one of 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.
The shield
A shield is a protective device used to avoid harm. When God says “I will be your shield”, what does He mean?
1. Like an astronaut
Let us take an astronaut who lands on the moon. That person is from a different planet and cannot survive on the moon without a shield which provides full protection. All the life-giving substance is provided within the shield – the air, the water and the food. The astronaut is able to survive on a foreign planet because of the shield which contains the protection and life-supply and which is compatible with his or her own planet. The moon cannot provide any of this and therefore without the shield (space suit), the astronaut will die.
The astronaut does not belong out in space there, but belongs on the earth, but is able to do things as long as the shield is in place and 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 we are foreigners 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. We are sustained from a foreign supply which is a supernatural provision. This is vital for our spiritual survival.
The world says “born to be free”. But we say “born-again to be free”. The only way is to have on God’s shield which provides God’s covenant blessings. It is the only way to survive in times of famine, 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 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 to you, no matter at what angle he tries to attack you.
Shield breakers
Sin, disobedience, and rebellion are most definitely shield breakers. 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 because He knows better.
Samson
When Samson allowed his hair to be cut, he lost his shield of protection. His entire destiny was lost as well. There was no power in Samson’s hair – the real power was in respecting God’s will that his hair not be cut.
The Israelites
We also see an entire generation of Israelites dying without seeing the Promised Land.
1 Corinthians 1:1 – 6 - For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.
This is an awesome passage of Scripture. Paul refers to something that happened to the Israelites and tells us that we should take note that he wrote it as a warning to us, so that we do not fall into the same trap.
We know that the Israelite’s shield was the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day. But they died without seeing the promises and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Why? They lost their shield. How? If you read further in 1 Corinthians 10, they died because they because they:
* lusted after evil things
* bowed down to idols
* committed sexual immorality
* tempted Christ
* complained
The reason why this of such importance to us, is because Paul tells us that they all drank of the Spiritual Rock which was Christ (they were saved), they were baptised into Moses in the sea (they were water baptised), they were baptised in the cloud (filled with the Spirit).
God was not well pleased with them, they lost their shield of protection, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. “This is written so that it can be an example to you” warns Paul.
When you lose your shield, you lose your reward. The Israelite lost the land of promise, which was flowing with milk and honey.
Jesus tells us that He is coming and his reward is with Him. So keep your shield intact.
How to keep your shield intact
1. Deal with sin
Jesus gave us the power in His name, to take authority over sin. Deal with issues especially when the Holy Spirit convicts you. If you ignore the voice of God’s Spirit, you will grieve the Holy Spirit.
2. Obey God’s Word
Obedience to God’s principles and laws is imperative. God tells us that obedience is better than sacrifice. Obedience is easier than sacrifice. Embrace God’s principles of tithing, sowing and reaping.
3. Exercise your faith
Paul tell us in Ephesians 6 to “take the shield of faith”. This is part of the armour which is vital to deflect the fiery darts of the enemy. Once again, I believe this is not an ordinary shield as we know it (placed in front of the soldier), but a total covering.
The Bible tells us without faith it is impossible to please God. Remember our Scripture reading in 1 Corinthians 10 where we are told “that God was not pleased with the Israelites.” No faith – no shield.
4. Walk in the Spirit
The Word of God tells us Romans 8:1 that there is no condemnation to those who walk in the Spirit. In Galatians 5:16, we are urged to walk in the Spirit and not to fulfil the lusts of the flesh. “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are called the sons of God.”
The rewards
We have spoken much about the shield. Now let us look at the rewards.
1. Supernatural supply
Ephesians 3:20 - Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.
We can expect supernatural finances and provision, supernatural health and healing, favour with God and man, and many other supernatural covenant blessings. (Read Deuteronomy 28)
2. Become a Giant
I believe the biggest giant Goliath ever witnessed, was David. God has given us authority and power over the devil and every demonic activity. The Word tells us that we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus “greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.” Yes, there may be giants out there – representing all sorts of problems and obstacles. But we have greater power and strength over those “giants”.
3. Get the Gold
A gold-miner will tell you that in order to get an ounce of gold, a tonne of ore must be excavated from the earth, brought to the surface, crushed and processed. That is a lot of effort, but the reward is that tiny ounce of gold which is worth so much. But imagine processing ton after ton of rock and not finding any gold.
One of the rewards of those who are protected by God’s shield is revelatory truth which the Holy Spirit gives to us when we study God’s Word (the gold). Yes, we have to plough through pages upon pages, perhaps chapter after chapter, book after book, but the gold is always found.
How sad it is to think that so many Biblical scholars have read the Bible through hundreds of times, even memorised it, but have never found an ounce of revelatory truth.
4. Eternal Life
Those who have the shield of God, receive the reward of eternal life. Jesus said He is coming back again and His reward is with Him.
Isaiah 4:5 - Then the Lord will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a covering . (shield)
