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How is God a shield? (Psalm 84:11)

How is God a shield? (Psalm 84:11, NIV)

10 Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
    from those whose walk is blameless.

Clarify Share Report Asked January 23 2019 My picture Jack Gutknecht Supporter

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Mini Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army
I would say that, although no one (including Christians) in this fallen world is guaranteed complete immunity from adversity (including adversity produced by spiritual forces opposed to God), God is a shield for Christians first and foremost by providing them eternal salvation through faith in Christ (Ephesians 6:16).

I also believe that, regardless of any seeming adversity that we as Christians may experience in this life, we should also be able to recognize occasions when the worst consequences of such adversity were avoided, or did not come to pass at all, or were mitigated by counterbalancing circumstances, all of which I would attribute to God making all things work together for good for His followers (as Paul noted in Romans 8:28).

And, even if such recognition does not occur in this life, I would say that Christians will finally and fully realize in eternity every single time and way in which God intervened on their behalf to shield them from adversity, and of which they may never even have been aware.

January 24 2019 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Mini Shirley H Supporter Wife, mother, veteran in the spiritual war we all face!
In Genesis 15:1, The Lord came to Abraham in a vision and said, do not be afraid, I Am your shield, your great reward.

Deuteronomy 33:29, reveals that God is the source of human protection. 

2 Samuel 22:3, God is our strength and shield if we trust Him.

When we wait upon the Lord God, it shows our faith. Then He provides the help that we need. Psalm 33:30

Throughout the Bible we have a progressive revelation of who God is and how much He cares for us.

Psalm 119:114, God surrounds us and hides us in His heart of love. You couldn't dream or imagine a more wonderful shield!

One more sample of the shield from the New Testament. The book of Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 16 - God's shield defends us from the fiery darts of the wicked one. We are as believers safe from his assaults.

God has many more names and attributes. All praise to Him alone!

January 24 2019 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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My picture Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church
How is God a shield? (Psalm 84:11)

I love this verse, “For the Lord God is a sun and SHIELD, no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11, KJV). Warren Wiersbe says this Biblical Image shows us God as Protector.
See also the parallel verses, Psalm 3:3: "But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head." Remember the song in the 60’s? 

3 “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.” (Young Life Club).

Also, compare Psalm 119:114: "Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word." And Proverbs 30:5 KJV: “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”

2 Samuel 22:31 KJV is another on the list of verses Wiersbe cites relating “SHIELD” to “God as Protector” -- 2 Samuel 22:31: “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.” “Buckler” is just another word for “SHIELD.”

Shield [EBD]—Easton’s Bible Dictionary has:
Used figuratively of God and of earthly princes as the defenders of their people (Gen. 15:1; Deut. 33:29; Psalm 33:20; 84:11). Faith is compared to a shield (Eph. 6:16). 

Wikipedia says, “A shield is a piece of personal armour held in the hand or mounted on the wrist or forearm. Shields are used to intercept specific attacks, whether from close-ranged weaponry or projectiles such as arrows, by means of active blocks, instead of providing passive protection.”

Of the experiences of the Man of Faith (Abraham) there were three:
1 GREAT CONFLICT 
A Physical encounter to deliver Lot: Gen.14:14-16
A Spiritual conflict to overcome temptation: Gen.14:21
2 GRACIOUS CONSOLATION
Body refreshed with bread and wine: Gen.14:18
Spirit revived with divine blessing: Gen.14:19
3 GLORIOUS COMENSATION
‘Thy shield’—Divine Protection: Genesis 15:1
‘Thy exceeding great reward—Divine Provision: Genesis 15:1

And one may see A Trinity of Truth in 2 Samuel 22:31 (a verse I cited above):
1 A Perfect Path. ‘His way is perfect.’ Amid the confusion and contradiction in the world there is one sure way. ‘I am the way,’ etc. John 14:6
2 A Tested Truth. ‘The Word of the Lord is tried.’ His promises are not untried bridges on which no foot has trod, but arches that have borne thousands on their way to heaven.
3 A Present Protection. ‘He is a shield,’ e.g. Abraham, Job, etc.

"Ancient shields protected the body during warfare. Likewise, God protects his people from the fiery darts of the evil one, from fear and from the danger of the unknown." QSB

February 22 2019 1 response Vote Up Share Report


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