Shield

 Psalm 3:3 ESV

 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.


David was at one of the lowest points of his life. The consequences of his adultery and murder meant his family and even his very kingdom were falling apart before his very eyes. Yet even in the midst, we have this powerful declaration of faith.

The Lord was a shield about David against his murderous son Absalom. David trusted in God to look after him even though humanly speaking he was hopeless. David's glory wasn't in himself but in the Lord his Saviour.

There's an apocryphal psalm where 'David' is all self congratulatory about killing Goliath. It doesn't ring true with genuine Psalms where the Psalmists are God congratulatory. David didn't pat himself on the back. 

David could have gone around crestfallen, like he was avoiding sniper fire. Yet he testified that God lifted his head. We don't have to be overcome by guilt and shame.

'O Lord, please prove the truth of this verse in our lives. For we ask in Jesus' powerful name, amen'.

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