Shields On!
A Devotional
© 2001 Steve Lattier and Men's Help Ministries


There have been many years pass since advent of the first science fiction movie. Did you know that since the late sixties that there has been an accepted “norm” in all science fiction books, movies and shows? There has, well ones dealing with space travel anyway. It is the concept of a “force-field” or “shield” to protect a person, a space ship, sometimes even a city or even a whole planet could have one. When danger of some type reared its ugly head, from an asteroid to some kind of an energy beam to an all out assault, the person in charge would say something like “shields on” or “raise shields” so that the people would be protected. It is kind of ironic to think that those writers of books and producers of shows about things that don't exist were dabbling in a concept that God himself set into motion! In the Sci-Fi world there is always somebody that has to make a judgment call and ensure that the shields are up and functioning just in time to prevent certain disaster. The captain of the space ship or some general or admiral or another has to determine if a big enough threat exists to warrant turning on the force-field. Instead of some type of mysterious energy field that must be turned on and off with a command we are simply (or not so simply) protected by God Himself!

The Word:
Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Psalm 36:6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. [7 ]How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find* refuge in the shadow of your wings.

In God's economy there is not a general or some other person that ensures your safety, no, not even your pastor, though you can be sure that they are praying for everyone in their congregation. In God's economy your protection is automatic! Well almost automatic anyhow. There are some things that must be done in order to “automate” the process. The first and biggest step of course is accepting your salvation. After that there are several other things that must be kept up. I really like that analogy above, “find refuge in the shadow of your wings” it speaks volumes by itself. First of all in order to find refuge that means that you must be looking for refuge! Next it says “the shadow of your wings” that implies that there is a very definitive area that is being protected. If you aren't under the wings then you just aren't going to get the same protection are you? I like to think of it like this; it is raining outside would you rather have an umbrella over you or not? Life has many storms, you can either go through them with God's protection….. or not…..

The Word:
Psalm 91:14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. [15] He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. [16] With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Getting under God's umbrella isn't all that hard. Sure it takes a conscious effort to get and stay there but, it is a lot easier than getting soaked in life's rain. Right there God gives us a clue, “because he loves me.” Do you have kids? Have you had kids? God loves you the same way! All He wants is us to reciprocate His love, well as good as we can. David had a heart like God and God loved him for that. There was a couple of things that David did differently than most folks. David knew about worshipping God, David knew about loving God, not just God but the things of God, the structure that God gave us, his principles.

The Word:
Psalm 119:159 See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your love..

David was much better than most of us when it came to allowing God to have His way. David even loved the way God set out structure in the Bible. The quickest way outside God's protection is to resent God's plans. If we follow David's example then we can learn to love the way God moves in our lives. Job really says it best. Job shows us the real “if-then” relationship with God's protection and blessings on us.

The Word:
Job 11:13 "Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, [14] if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, [15] then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear. [16] You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. [17] Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. [18] You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. [19] You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor. (emphasis mine)

Wow, there is real cause and effect! God laid it out for us to grab and run with. It really is that automatic. You really do “get under God's umbrella” It is so automatic that you do not necessarily have to worry about each and every plot of the enemy. More often than not God's protection will ward off the advances of the enemy in your life so well you will not even know that there had been an attack. Even satan knows how this works. When he was bargaining with God to mess with Job, he understood that unless God “removed” Job's protection then he would not be able to mess with Job.

The Word:
Job 1:9 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. [10] "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. [11] But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." [12] The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Did you see? The punk had to get God's permission before he could do anything to Job. So it is with anyone that gets their security from God. God protects us in many ways just like that umbrella protects us from the rain. Sure its still raining but you are dryer for it. Many people say that God allows things to happen and it is true. You will face trials and times and seasons that force you to grow and stretch, but the things that matter in the long run are still under God's protection. It is even God's wish for us that He protect us. Jesus came here to show us God's love. Look at how he prayed right before he was handed over to be crucified.

The Word:
John 17:11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one. [12] While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

Even in his last hour Jesus thought of us and the struggles that we would go through and he asked God to protect us! If you have decided to abide then you should have peace. If you have moved under God's protective umbrella then you should rejoice! No other place on earth will God bless you than if you are under His guarding will. Really if you think about it that is where it all comes together when you step “under/into” His “umbrella/will” then you will get his “protection/blessings”!

The Word:
Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. [12] For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Let us take refuge. Shields on!

Pray with me: Lord, I realize that I am outside looking in. I need your protection and security. Show me the outlines of your will so that I can step inside it. Teach me to love your ways. Show me Father, how NOT to resent the processes of my learning. Draw me under your umbrella Lord it is raining out here and I want to be dry with you! I ask this in Jesus name. Amen!

If you are not saved and would like more information please email me, see me, or visit us at http://mywebpage.netscape.com/pastorstevel/menshelp.html then click on the link for your free ticket!

TO download the MS word version of this just: CLICK HERE

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to this Devotion send an email with the appropriate subject line to: MensHelpDevotional@JESUSaves.every1.net