Psalm 3:3-6 – “But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. 4 I was crying to the LORD with my voice, and He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. 5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about.”  NASB

Someone recently said something that I have heard hundreds of times, “Growing old is not for sissies.”  I responded, “Life is not always easy, but worth it.”  The person I was talking to said, “True, if…”  I waited, and they said no more.  Before I could ask what the “if” was, the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart, “THE IF” is Me; the IF is GOD!”

I have often thought about Life and Living.  As a minister and having served as a pastor of congregations, it has been my joy and sorrow to deal with people in varying situations and stages of life.  Joy to see the work of God in bringing them to peace and victory, and sorry when I could not help them find the solace and peace they craved. 

In life, we encounter difficulties. That statement makes me Mr. Obvious, but as simplistic and broad as it is, it is true.  None of us have immunity from problems, nor are we exempt from enemies who desire to reduce us to nothingness.  Jesus declared as much in the Gospels.  However, He also said that we were not to fear or fret because we could live in the confidence that our Heavenly Father desires to ‘give us the kingdom.’  Jesus promised to bring us abundant life and make life worth living.  That is a tremendous comfort to me.

In the midst of difficulties, the Psalmist declared, “Lord, you are a shield about me.”   In Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, the word shield is protection but one of the imageries was that of the ‘hide of a crocodile.’  I laughed and rejoiced when I read that.  Ancient civilizations have historically viewed the crocodile’s hide as impenetrable.  That is the clear message of the Psalmist, “God, you are like the hide of a crocodile, impenetrable, in your protective covering.”  That is enough to make me want to shout, Hallelujah!  Well, Hallelujah!

In the Book of Job, when the devil appeared before the Throne of God, God baited him with Job, and the devil’s objection was, “But you have a hedge or a shield about him.”  God did not deny that.  In Zechariah 2:5, God said, “For I, declared the Lord, will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.”  That was His promise for Jerusalem, and I believe His desire and promise for each of us.  He is our shield, buckler, glory, and the giver and sustainer of life.  We do not have to fear what is outside when we fear, reverentially, God and serve Him.  That is the “If” of my friend’s statement. 

Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”  Hell is not God’s desire for us but Heaven and Life.  Jesus did not come to destroy but to bring Life.  Therefore, when facing difficulty, disappointment, and even depression, look upward and rejoice because our God is “A Shield About Us!”  And if God is for us, it does not matter who is against us; they are no match for Him. No problem, disease, difficulty, person, or devil in hell is a match for Him!  

Put on the whole armor of God and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you how to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus.  Allow the Spirit of God to enable you to pull down strongholds.  Allow the Life of God to flow richly in your hearts and minds; as you do, you will discover that Life is worth the effort!

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!