God is always there for us. Sometimes we don’t see it, sometimes we don’t get the answers we want. But He is always working in our lives. He is our protector. There is so much evil going on around us. One day He will come and take us home away from it. But, until then, we can trust in Him for He gives us strength (Eyaluth). He protects us. He is the ultimate shield (Magen or suri) that will keep us safe. In scripture He is called “Our Strength and Our Shield.” When God is for us, who can stand against us? (Romans 8:31) The devil will try, but he will lose. He may win a battle or two, but once we trust in Jesus as our Lord and as our Savior, we are declared righteous and declared victorious. No one can snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28).
Psalms 18:2-3
The LORD is my rock [Yahweh Sali] and my fortress and my deliverer; my God (Elyon), my strength [Suri], in whom I will trust; my shield [Magen]and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.
The Lord is referred to our strength or stronghold on many occasions. The word for strength here also means rock. All the words David uses to describe our God tells of God’s strength and protection. He is a shield who protects us from our enemies including the devil and his demons. God gives us the “armor” that will protect us from the fiery arrows that the devil throws at us. The devil tries to destroy us; he is the king of lies who will try to tempt us and lead us away from God. But God is stronger and whatever Satan throws at us will not penetrate our shield if we trust in God.
Ephesians 6:13-17
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
We need to take up the shield of faith. We need to trust in Jesus Christ and let the Spirit work in us to overcome everything the evil one throws at us. God is our strength and our shield.
Proverbs 30:4-6
Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, if you know? Every word of God [Elowah] is pure; He is a shield [Magen] to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
God created the heavens and the earth. He created you and me. Surely we can trust Him to protect us. His strength is beyond all others. We have no need to be afraid.
Psalms 3:2-5
Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God [Elohim].” Selah
But You, O LORD [Yahweh], are a shield [magen]for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD [Yahweh]with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD [Yahweh]sustained me.
Even when things look bleak, God is with us. The age-old question of why does God allow bad things to happen to good people is a hard one. Much of this lies in the fact that there is sin in the world. Often times those bad things lead to a closeness to God or a way to show His power and glory as He did when the Israelites were oppressed by Egypt. And we also know that life is short and we have that hope and expectation of eternal life away from all the corrupt things of this world. So, as the author of Hebrews said, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)
Psalms 33:20-22
Our soul waits for the LORD [Yahweh]; He is our help and our shield [magen]. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O LORD [Yahweh], be upon us, just as we hope in You.
One day we will be in His presence. One day because of His mercy, we will see His glory and we will be with Him through eternity. As He promised, those who trust in the Lord we will be resurrected after death, and will never again see hardship or pain, no more tears, no more sadness but only the glory and rewards that Christ offers. Our hope is in Him now and forever. Until that day, He will guide us and He will protect us. Nothing that the devil can do will take away our hope. We are secure behind God Our Shield.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
We know, we have confidence, that we can always trust in the Lord. He is faithful. He will give us strength in all situations even when we don’t have any. He is our protector. He is our Savior. He is our refuge and strength.
Philippians 4:12-13
I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Psalms 91:1-4
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High [Elyown] shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty [Shadday]. I will say of the LORD [Yahweh], “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God [Elohay], in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
Let us always praise God for all He has done. There is probably so many ways He has protected us that we do not even know or fathom. I believe there is an unseen battle going on (see Ephesians 6 and Daniel 10) that God and His angels fight against the spirits of darkness. God deserves our worship and blessing and gratitude for being God Our Shield and Our Strength.
Psalms 28:6-8
Blessed be the LORD [Yahweh], because He has heard the voice of my supplications! The LORD [Yahweh]is my strength and my shield [Magen]; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him. The LORD [Yahweh]is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
My Daily Scriptures 