Reflections From The Proverbs: My Shield

My Shield

Proverbs Chapter Two
7.b. he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8. For he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. NIV

We talked earlier about the trade that Jesus made so that my sins are no longer on my account sheet, but have already been judged and punished. I have a clean slate. I am blameless. Not because I am good but because of my faith in Jesus Christ and His goodness.

I don’t walk a perfect walk, but I walk a blameless walk because of grace, unmerited, amazing grace. The promise made here for those whose walk is blameless is that God will be a shield for them.

There is a verse in Psalms chapter 5 that I love. It is verse 12. David wrote: For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

I have one son. I guess you could safely say he is my favorite among all other young men. He gets favored treatment. We were on a mission trip in Mexico together when he was around 10 years old. We were walking around a village when a ferocious sounding dog came charging out toward him growing and barring his teeth. Something rose up in me with terrific force. I pointed a finger at the dog and yelled with forceful authority “NO!” That poor dog must have thought something was going to come shooting out of my finger because he went yelping away and hid. Normally I am fearful of unfamiliar dogs. Where did that sudden boldness come from? Well, that was my favored son that dog was charging at. I became a shield around him. (My daughters are favored among all other young women, and I would do the same for them.)

Not everyone grows up in a family being a favored child although everyone wants to. Well, I have good news. Because God is God. all of His children are His favorites. I am the only one like me. God only made one like me, and I am His favorite of my kind. God cares about me. At times He rears up, points his finger in Satan’s face, and forcefully with all authority says NO! God’s loving favor becomes a shield around me and Satan has to back off.

God carefully watches my path. He guides me with wisdom and purpose and precision. Sometimes it is through gardens of sweet pleasure, and sometimes through dark valleys with hard lessons. Sometimes it is through meaningful challenges, but always my heavenly Father is nearby guarding me.

I could by choice wander off on a course not directed by God. I could chart my own path. Even though my foolish independence removes me from his umbrella of blessing, I could never step outside of God’s love. He calls us to be faithful children seeking His direction. We can be blameless because of Christ. We are faithful by daily choice.

I thank God for the gift of His grace that has pardoned me. I thank Him that we all can be favored children of the King.