What's The Connection?

God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. [Psalm 18.30]

Here again today, I have encountered the word "shield" referring to God.

Is there more to be understood of this idea of God being our shield and faith being our shield? What's the connection? There is so much running through my mind right now about this that I can hardly express it here.

I wonder what word David used more than any other word to describe God? I know this: it sure seems he used the word "shield" a lot! And if we consider that David was a man after God's own heart (a title few have ever attained to), the fact that he used the word "shield" to describe God so much should factor 'significant' in our estimation!

From the Psalms (most (but not all) of which are attributed to David):

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. [Psalm 3:3]

For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love. [Psalm 5:12]

God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right. [Psalm 7:10]

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. [Psalm 18:2]

God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. [Psalm 18:30]

You have given me your shield of victory. Your right hand supports me; your help has made me great. [Psalm 18:35]

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. [Psalm 28:7]

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. [Psalm 33:20]

Don’t kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons; stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees, O Lord our shield. [Psalm 59:11]

O God, look with favor upon the king, our shield! Show favor to the one you have anointed. [Psalm 84:9]

For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. [Psalm 84:11]

O Israel, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield. [Psalm 115:9]

O priests, descendants of Aaron, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield. [Psalm 115:10]

All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield. [Psalm 115:11]

You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope. [Psalm 119:114]

He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in him. He makes the nations submit to me. [Psalm 144:2]

Yes, there is something worth considering when we see these repeated reference to God as our "shield." And then it should cause us deep consideration when Paul uses the word "shield" in reference to our faith. Furthermore we must accurately conclude where the faith we have came from!

Father, help me to understand the connection between You, my shield, and the faith You put in me!