Living 4 Him

“He is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”  Psalm 18:30

In this world of wants and needs, one can easily be pulled onto the path of temptation.  Wanting more or wanting better leads to greed.  Obsession with shallow notions or passing fads becomes idolatry.  Worry over what others think encourages us to look for the worst in ourselves and others.  We judge situations, ideas and people we don’t understand. To overcome these temptations that lead us away from God we must turn back to him in prayer. 

“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”  Matthew 6:13 Jesus gave us these words, lifting our souls to God who can keep us from the evil that lurks in the world.  Praying these words regularly provides protection from impulses that distract us. 

Let’s consider the turtle who lives with a protective shell around its body.  This shell, attached to the turtle, is made of living bone like a strong skeleton with a spine sheltering the internal organs that help the turtle live.  I like to think of God’s protection in this way, too.  God attaches himself to us and protects the most important parts inside of us; our souls. 

Seeking protection from God through prayer strengthens our armor and guides us to live in the best possible way.

Protection prepares us for what is ahead.   God is the only one who knows what lies ahead in our days.  His protection provides an assurance that when we face difficult situations we can respond in a Godly way.

Protection purifies our motives.  God is our righteousness and he longs for us to choose what is right.  He alone can protect us from decisions that cause hurt in the world. With his sheltering hand, our hearts remain at one with God and lead to his utmost intentions for us. 

Protection prevails.  Whatever might happen in a day, we can know that we have God’s protection, and he will use the details of our lives to draw us closer to him and his way of thinking.  We will be encased in his quest for goodness. 

Protection brings peace. The Psalms often talk about God being a shield or a refuge. “But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, you are my glory and the One who lifts my head.” Psalm 3:3 (NLT)

If you make the Lord your refuge,  if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.
For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. Psalm 91:10-12 (NLT)

These scriptures remind us how lovingly we are held by God who enfolds us with his supernatural hugs, keeping us exactly in the right place to be.  

When I was a young girl, my family and I took a hike in the Colorado mountains, and as frequently happens, a storm came up rather quickly.  A hailstorm!  My two brothers took shelter under a tree a little ahead of us, but their tree had some straggly branches and so my older brother stood over my youngest brother, keeping hail from pounding his head.  What a beautiful image of God’s gift of grace to us. The world may try to pelt us with its worst, but through salvation our souls are kept from the harm of evil and sheltered by God standing over us, with a power beyond the forces of earth. 

We are loved.  We are held.  We are protected.  Amen.

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your soul):  If you enjoyed the verses of protection above, you will enjoy reading more in this article.https://scripture-lullabies.com/god-is-our-shield-10-verses-about-gods-protection/

Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world):  Pray this prayer or write your own prayer as you seek God’s protection. 

Loving and Holy God, The world around me holds many distractions that pull me away from your best plans.  Help me to stay on your path, guided by your loving hand.  Shield my mind from discouraging, negative thoughts.  Shield my heart from unkindness and selfish motives.  Let me walk in your love and gentleness alone, spreading kindness and goodness to this world.  Be my shield.  Be my refuge.  Be my protector.  In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.