My Shield

As most of you know, our 3 month old son had to have skull surgery on July 1. It was a very scary week and we are so glad to have it behind us. Everyone asks how he’s doing and the answer is beautifully. He recovered so fast and I am so grateful. I am also thankful to all who prayed for him and for us.

During that long, hard week in the hospital I was reminded often of the picture in scripture that the Lord is our shield. The definition of a shield is a broad piece of metal or another suitable material, held by straps or a handle attached on one side, used as a protection against blows. As a mother, hearing that your tiny infant will need major surgery definitely qualifies as a “blow”. But, the Bible says that God is our shield, one who protects us against blows. That doesn’t mean we won’t be hit necessarily but I believe it does mean as His child we are protected from the full weight of the blow.

Over and over in Psalms David describes God as his shield.

“But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” Psalm 3:3

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” Psalm 28:7

I love Psalm 3:3. Not only is God my protector but He is also the lifter of my head. When we are blindsided by a harsh blow, God not only cushions the blow; He lifts our head up so that we can carry on and ultimately glorify Him in spite of our circumstances.

The past year and half has been a hard year in the Peet household, but I can honestly say with King David that, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts…” I don’t know what “blows” you’ve been hit with lately but my prayer for you is that you would know that God wants to be your shield and your deliverer.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…” 2 Corinthians 4:7-9