GENESIS 15:1

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

TO PONDER

The history of the shield is fascinating. It is personal, it can be strapped to your body if necessary, and can be made of anything from wood, animal hide, woven reed, wicker, poplar tree, lime, or lightweight metal.  

Their shapes and sizes varied greatly, ranging from large panels that protect the user's whole body to small models which were intended for hand-to-hand-combat use, and could be round, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, bilabial or scalloped. Shields also vary a great deal in thickness; whereas some shields were made of relatively deep, absorbent, wooden planking to protect soldiers from the impact of spears and crossbow bolts, others were thinner and lighter and designed mainly for deflecting blade strikes. 

But the role of them never changes. They are there to protect you. To keep you safe. To make sure you survive the battle. 

Our reading reminds us that God is our shield. God is there to protect us, and to keep us safe, and to make sure we do survive the battle that the world throws at us. Because God wants us around to continue his life-saving word on his planet. 

PRAYER

Protector of all, thank you for watching over us in everything we do. Continue to provide that covering for our lives, so we can respond in love to all those who do not know your grace. Amen      

Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping