“Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto those that put their trust in Him,” (Prov. 30:5).
God’s people are strangers in a hostile land, but the enemy cannot harm us because God Himself is our shield (Ps. 28:7). He protects those who take refuge in Him (Ps. 46:1).
Multiple times in Scripture God refers to Himself as our shield of protection against the enemy (Gen. 15:1; Deut. 33:29; Ps. 3:3, 18:2, 28:7, 33:20, 84:11, 89:18, 115:9; Prov. 30:5). Many of these same verses add that God is also our strength, our rock, our fortress, our deliverer, our helper, our buckler, our high tower, and our defense. No matter what circumstances come our way, we can be completely confident that we are not vulnerable to the attack of Satan and his forces, for God keeps His word!
Scripture makes is clear, however, that the privilege of God’s protection is only extended to His children – those who believe in Christ as Savior and Lord. God is a shield to all those that put their trust in Him. In modern usage, the terms trust and faith carry different meanings. But in the language of the New Testament, the Greek word for faith is translated as trust. So, to say you have faith in God and you believe His Word is the same thing as saying you put your trust in Him.
What does it mean to trust in God’s protection? It means we don’t worry about the future or what we can’t control (Matt. 6:25-33). It means we experience peace in the place of stress (Isa. 26:3). And it means we honor and adore God in the way He so requires in His Word, as Hebrews 11:6 states: “… without faith it is impossible to please Him.”
Thomas Manton said, “We miss our protection and defense by our doubts, unbelief, and distrust of God. All those that in time of danger are duly sensible of it and make use of God as their refuge and hiding-place, shall find him to be that to them which their faith expects from Him.”
Do you look to God and His Word in this way? Is He your defense, shield and buckler? Do you rest on the promises found in His Word that you may be assured of His divine protection?
Isaiah 26:20 says, “Come, my people, enter into thy chambers, shut the door about thee, and hide thyself as it were for a little moment.” God invites us to rest in the arms of His protection, in the chambers of His attributes, promises, and providence. When trouble comes, run to God for refuge, and you will enjoy the benefit of His loving and mighty protection.
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Under His wings, shall you trust and find refuge,” (Psalm 91:1, 4).
- Lord, Your Word assures me of divine protection. Your Word is a shield to me. These are not careless expressions dropped into Scripture by chance. Rather, they are Your sure promises that yield comfort, peace and happiness to me. You have given me Your Word, and You invite me to depend on it.
- Lord, only those who believe in Jesus Christ, Your Mediator, are enlightened to understand and trust Your Word. But whenever I doubt, I miss out on the blessing of Your protection and defense because of my doubts, unbelief, and distrust. Help me overcome all doubts that life throws at me by applying Your Word to my life through the power of Your Spirit. May Your Spirit testify in my soul of the things I read that I may be spiritually persuaded of them.
- Your Word directs me to obey Your covenant (Ps. 74:11; Prov. 2:7; Isa. 33:15-16). If I walk according to Your Word and Your covenant, I have every reason to hope in Your Word and trust You. And if I am not a faithful servant to You, how can I expect You to be a good Master toward me? This wonderful protection of Your mercy through Christ assumes that I am in covenant with You, and that I walk sincerely before You.
Further References for Proverbs 30:5
Ps. 12:6, 18:30, 119:140; Gen. 15:1; Deut. 33:29; Ps. 33:20
