He is My Shield

“He hides away sound and godly Wisdom and stores it for the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him); He is a shield to those who walk uprightly

and in integrity, that He may guard the paths of justice;

yes, He preserves the way of His saints.”

Proverbs 2:7, 8

It hit me out of the blue. I responded out of years of training and that calmed the situation for the time being. I knew God put the words in my mouth because I didn’t know what to say. I did a couple of things that I didn’t want to, but felt God wanted me to do and they seemed to illicit a positive reaction.

Still I was afraid. I felt threatened, uncertain about how to react to a situation which was totally out of my realm of experience. I went to God in prayer. I talked to my husband, a couple of pastors, those people in church authority who could guide me.

Psalm 46 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” How easy it is to panic and forget He is right there with us. I like the wording, “ever-present help.” That reassures me when I’m uncertain and unsettled.

I had to face the same situation for a matter of weeks. In times such as that I think about the things I would tell my children or my friends to comfort and encourage them. My words usually come from the scriptures. They are comforting and holy and wise, but often I don’t follow my own advice.

The godliest people I know memorize a lot of scripture. they spend a lot of time meditating on its meaning. Charles Spurgeon once said, “If those who spend so many hours in idle company, light reading, and useless pastimes, could learn wisdom, they would find more profitable society and more interesting engagements in meditation than in the vanities which now have such charms for them.”

What comes out of your mouth when you are challenged, frustrated, or angry, your own thoughts, or the wisdom of God?

We spend time with our loved ones because we want to be nearer to them, we want to be like those we admire. Therefore, if we love God we will spend much time with Him, in prayer and in studying and meditating on His word. I can often look back on my day and know what parts of it were wasted. If I spent that time drawing closer to God, when challenged, it would always be Him and not I who responds.

Whose words come out of your mouth when things get tough? Choose today to spend more time gaining godly wisdom.