Psalm 3:3, But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
Ephesians 6:16, In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Standing on a damp, grassy hill staring down at the blood-soaked battle field, fear does not accompany me. With early dawn’s dew hanging on leaves of the surrounding oak trees, my heart is filled with solace. The red and orange sky offer gentle illumination to the path God has laid out before me on this day. Deep, slow breathes confirm my readiness. My hands are steady, my mind is clear, and my eyes are locked on target. A cool, damp, breeze pushes on my back like a mothering bird pushing it’s ready young from the nest. The time has now come.
The first step forward is always the hardest, but I do it with learned patience and forced preparation. My awkward forward momentum, resembling a fawn at first trot, breaks way to a gallop that matches the beating of my own heart in my ears. Excited to join the action I stood calculating from above, I run faster. Wind caresses my naked cheeks and runs its gentle fingers through my hair. Exploding battle cries erupt from my lungs. My boots collide with the hard ground sounding like a Clydesdale horse exploring his land.
I smash head first into the open battle. The smell of sweat and fear are all around me. Engulfed in the madness, I nearly forget what I came to fight for. There is no sword in my hand. I am wearing no armor. Realization sets in; I carry all I will ever need for my protection and safety from everything I can and can not see. I raise my right arm to deflect a coming blow from a would-be assassin, armed with hatred and cruel intentions. His commitment is shattered against the scutum that has now become a part of my flesh.
Standing tall, I hold up the divine shield for all to see. Rays from the morning star reflect off the armor. My enemies are blinded as I effortlessly begin walking through the delirium around me, along the path God has laid out before me on this day. Armed only with a shield, I step forward with learned patience and forced preparation. His shield protects me from all I can and can not see. I am a soldier of God.
2 Samuel 22:3, God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior from violent men you save me.
2 Samuel 22:36, You give me your shield of victory; you stoop down to make me great.
