MESSAGES
David writes, "As for the Lord, His way is perfect; The Word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him" (Psalm 18:30). When I first read this verse I thought immediately of my past profession as a firefighter. I wore a shield for 20 years, and to me this verse was so applicable, thus it has been the theme verse for the Shield of Faith Ministry since it began in 1993.
I chose this verse for a couple of reasons. First, because each of you wear a shield. When people see that shield shining brightly on your uniform, they look upon you as a person with power, authority and protection. Secondly, and much more importantly, it is a reminder that there is no greater shield of power, authority and protection than the Lord Jesus Christ. I once wore a shield, you presently wear a shield, but God is our shield.
God is a shield to protect us when the fiery darts of the enemy start flying our way (Ephesians 6:16). God is a shield to protect us when we feel too weak to face the trials that come our way. As our shield, He wants to strengthen us, protect us and guide us in order that we will remain steadfast and immovable against the enemy (1 Corinthians 15:58). As our shield, He wants to strengthen us in order that He can continue to work in us and through us.
Paul reminds us that, "We are weak, but He [Jesus] is strong" (1 Corinthians 4:10). Jesus says, "For My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). God knows that the strongest Christian on earth is infinitely weaker than He is and that we continuously need His help. Paul reminds us that we "can do all things through Christ who gives us the strength" (Philippians 4:13).
The Bible says that David the shepherd boy became David the king because he believed in and trusted in a perfect and proven God. Prior to his going against the giant Goliath, he told King Saul, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of a lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from this Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:37). David knew how vital it was to have God with him in battle.
As David went out to fight the giant he said, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts . . ." (1 Samuel 17:45). You know the story. David put a rock between the giant's eyes that felled him to the ground. He then took the giant's very own sword and cut off his head. This shows that David was a man who knew how to get ahead. That's a joke!
Seriously, every time David went to battle in the name of the Lord of Hosts, he was able to destroy whatever giant came his way. Why? Because he was wearing his shield; his shield of faith. Though he was a mighty warrior with all his army and weapons, he knew that only God could ultimately protect him.
As stated in our theme verse, let us also remember that, "Gods way is perfect." The word perfect means "without blemish or spot, undefiled, complete." Because God is perfect, you and I can be perfect as well. Not because of anything we have done, or can do, but because of what Christ has done for us and in us.
The Apostle John states that Jesus Christ is the Word of God (John 1:1), and our theme verse states, "the Word of the Lord is proven." The word proven means "flawless." In other words, God's Word is like silver refined in the fire. Its words are pure, its promises are faithful, and its revelation is full of grace and truth. King David had tried it, thousands have tried it, we have tried it, and it has never failed.
When Jesus was sharing the importance of His Word to His disciples, He didn't say, "You shall know the rules and by them you shall be bound." He said, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free" (John 8:32). Jesus was speaking about Himself who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Jesus Christ proved Himself to be who He claimed to be, the Son of God, Immanuel, Messiah, Savior, God in the flesh. He has proven Himself to be flawless, pure, faithful, full of grace and truth. Therefore we can always trust in Him.
Let me end by reminding you that God, ". . .is a shield to all who trust in Him." As you put on your shield and go to work each day to serve the community in which you live, don't ever stop trusting God. Allow Him always to be your strength and your protection. Why? Because He is your Shield of Faith.
God Bless You,
Pastor Steve
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| SHIELD OF FAITH |
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For more information,
call (951) 687-6902
Attention Juanita
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