Friday 30. January 2015
The Last Sunday after Epiphany
Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. (Psalm 33,20 ESV)
The Bible uses many different images to describe the attributes of God. Here the psalmist uses a military image: a shield. He reminds us that God is our defense from all that would harm us, be that people or natural disasters.
Old Testament Israel employed a popular military principle used by others in that time. Soldiers often fought as a team of two. There was a sword-bearer and a shield-bearer. One man attacked the enemy and the other defended. As such, the shield-bearer often moved around the sword-bearer to defend against swords or arrows. This is the image the psalmist uses: God is envisioned as moving around us to protect us from our foes.
This dedication and love on God's part encourages us to be faithful in waiting for Him. We know He is here for us and we know that He will defend us from all things.
Prayer: O God, our Refuge and Strength, the Author of all godliness, hear the devout prayers of Your Church, especially in times of persecution, and grant that what we ask in faith we may obtain; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen. (H82, Treasury of Daily Prayer)
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