Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
Too often, we get enamored with men and women who speak eloquently to our hearts. They expound a truth that touches us deeply, and we are truly grateful for the help they provide.
Yet, we must take heed to the Word of God.
Psalm 118:8-9 “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.”
Some have memorized these verses, but have we obeyed them fully?
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
I trust all want the protective shield that God offers in our passage. But are we willing to follow His Word to get it?
Factions of churches and religions today have some form of doctrine and belief they follow. But is it God’s Word?
Matthew 4:4 “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Believing the Bible as we read,
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
Can we say we believe every word? That verse begs us to trust what we read to tell us what to do, what to say, where to go, and how to live.
In so doing, we are promised that it will be our shield in the time of battle. I cannot believe that there is a child of God who would shun the offer of God’s protection as they face adversity in their life.
I write today with a settled peace that my God has and will protect me as His child. My part is to fully trust that He will do His part if I do mine. To neglect our part and still expect God to keep His breeds an entitlement mentality.
As a child of God, we are entitled to many things but, we must follow His commands and directives to fully engage God’s promises. We all want and need God’s protection. Our Heavenly Father has provided armor for this battle we face.
Ephesians 6:10-11 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
That ‘whole armour’ includes the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, having our loins girt about, our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. We must, above all, take up the shield of faith and use the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Many feel because it is stated, it is freely given. Sadly, we neglect the action portion, “take up.”
The helmet is the protection of our minds. We must filter what gets processed using the Word of God.
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
If what we are thinking cannot pass through this filter, we must cast it out.
2 Corinthians 10:5-6 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”
The breastplate covers all our vital organs. Every role and responsibility we are charged with must be under this care and protection.
Having our loins girt about means we are temperate in all things, including the carnal and fleshly.
Our feet are blessed and beautiful instruments of God to carry the best news any living soul has ever heard.
Romans 10:15 “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
We are admonished in James to have a faith that is alive, working, and serving.
James 2:17-18 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”
I have heard many ask this question,
“If the shield of faith was as large as your faith, what size would it be?”
The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, is the only offensive weapon in our arsenal. We are to be skillful in the use of it. We are to know what it can do and to employ it effectively.
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
We must trust the power of the Word of God once it is spoken.
Isaiah 55:10-11 “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
Each of us has felt the tip of that sword at some point in our lives. None more than the devil himself. The devil has been thrust through with the sharp, two-edged sword of the Word of God by those willing to employ it for their protection.
It can encourage the hurting, embolden the weak, and comfort the feeble. It can protect every child of God who trusts and uses it as God designed. When faced with a battle, we must take courage that there is nothing that can stand against God.
Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”
Take courage, child of God. When we stand with God, all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26 “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
Daily Manna 