(James Smith, "Wealth for Souls" 1859)
The privileges of the godly are many and great--but this is an especial one: "
My shieldis God Most High, who saves the upright in heart." Psalm 7:10
This implies exposure to
foes--Satan, evil men, and death--against these we need defense.
It implies
opposition--and the opposition of our foes is great, daring, and deadly.
It implies
danger to be apprehended--because we are weak, timid, and unskillful--and our foes are strong, daring, and experienced.
Our
safety therefore, stands in what the Lord is to us--He is
our shield, and such a shield as no one besides has, or can have.
He is
omniscient to see all our foes and dangers.
He is
omnipresent to help us at all times, and against all opposers.
He is
omnipotent to defend us, and secure us from all evil.
He is
faithful to fulfill His word, and carry out His engagements.
He will come between the believer and danger.
He will preserve the trusting soul from all real injury.
He will protect the upright in heart everywhere, and at all times.
What a mercy! What an unspeakable privilege is this!
"You who fear the Lord--
trust in the Lord! He is their
help and
shield." Psalm 115:11. O for grace to trust the Lord
with all, to trust the Lord
for all, and to trust the Lord
under all! Holy Spirit, strip us of all confidence in the
flesh, of all reliance on
man, and of all trust in
circumstances; and bring us by Your divine and holy teaching--to trust in the Lord alone!
"He is my loving God and my
fortress, my
stronghold and my
deliverer, my
shield, in whom I take refuge." Psalm 144:2