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Key Verse:
Proverbs 30:5 (NKJV)
Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Life is full of challenges, disappointments, hardships and tragedies. Even so, Christians have an advantage because we have God the Father as our Shield. Like anything else, we must utilize what we have in order to benefit from it. Today we will talk about God and how He is our Shield and how Christians can benefit from His Word.
I. God’s Word is Pure.
Proverbs 30:5 (NKJV)
Every word of God is pure;
Its easy to look around in the world today and find flaws, but the Word of God is pure. It is without defect. We can trust God’s Word because it comes from Him. God is the source of His Word and God Himself is pure.
2 Timothy 3:16 (Expanded Bible)
All Scripture is ·inspired by God [breathed out by God; L God-breathed] and is useful for teaching, for ·showing people what is wrong in their lives [refuting error; rebuking], for correcting faults, and for ·teaching how to live right [training in righteousness].
- The Bible contains 66 books, divided among the Old and New Testaments.
- The Bible was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by over 40 different authors from all walks of life: shepherds, farmers, tent-makers, physicians, fishermen, priests, philosophers and kings. Despite these differences in occupation and the span of years it took to write it, the Bible is an extremely cohesive and unified book.
- The bible was written over a period of some 1,500 years, from around 1450 B.C. (the time of Moses) to about 100 A.D. (following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ).
- The bible was the first book ever printed.
- The Bible has been translated into approximately 2,018 languages.
- The bible remains the number one selling book of all time to this day!
II. God is Our Shield Through Faith.
Ephesians 6:16 (NKJV)
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Without Faith, we will not trust in God and therefore we will not obey His commands. This displeases God.
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Many people claim they trust God but they do NOT surrender to Him nor do they obey Him. God cannot be a shield to those who do NOT obey Him. Unrepentance can lead to hardships in this life and condemnation in the next.
Matthew 7:22-23 (Expanded Bible)
22 On ·the last day [judgment day; L that day] many people will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, ·we spoke for you [L Did we not prophesy in your name…?], and ·through you we forced out demons [L cast out demons in your name…?] and did many ·miracles [L mighty works in your name…?].’ 23 Then I will ·tell them clearly [declare to them; publicly announce to them], ‘I never knew you. ·Get away [Depart] from me, you who ·do evil [break God’s law; practice lawlessness; Ps. 6:8].’
Those who do NOT repent of their sin, do NOT have God for their Shield. However, Christians can trust in God’s to be their Shield. He has only the best plans and thoughts for us.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
III. God is Our Shield Because We Have an Enemy.
1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Christians Have many enemies such as the World, The Flesh and Satan. We need shielding from all three. Satan comes after us in all directions, only God can shield us from all of the Devils attacks.God shields us through His divine power, loving care, His Word and through other Christians.
Although God is our shield, we must acknowledge Him as such. Surrendering to Christ is the first step to being shielded by God the Father.