Shields Up!

Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.. (Proverbs 30:5)

The shield is tested…because there is no place in a warrior's life for a defective shield. He must depend upon the shield as the missiles are launched for him to be effective in the battle. The ultimate evidence that the shield didn't work is the searing pain experienced as the arrow entered the body. Then it was too late. The battle was over for him. Imagine that I have a need to have some body armor for a dangerous and anticipated conflict such as a bulletproof vest.  When I purchase this vest, I assume the truth of the manufacturer’s claim that the vest is without defect. It has been tested... with real bullets…and found to be effective. How much more can I trust this word of God as a guarantee? God’s claim is that He is a shield…and His word has been tested. God’s word is a shield from all the enemy’s missiles. And the word of God has been tested through the ages and found to be effective in combat. Not only in defensive postures but in offensive engagements. In military terminology, a shield is not always a protective defensive weapon…it can be the ultimate offensive weapon as the Lord invades enemy territory. We see this in our time when elite teams of prison guards go into a cell to remove a rebellious prisoner.  They will advance behind a large protective shield. The enemy’s attacks against God and His people are real and destructive.  But we need to remember that it is he who is in the most desperate situation.  Not only is he in a defensive position but it is a defenseless one as well. Our enemy has Almighty God as an enemy.  Consider that the Lord may actually provoke the devil to attack with the goal of destroying the enemy’s strongholds by flushing him out of his hiding place. This is effective strategy in warfare.  Trust that God is our shield when we move into offensive engagements with the enemy.  We can trust that the weapons of our warfare are effectively tested and battle ready. Take up the Word of God and engage the enemy wherever you find him.  I heard somewhere that the Living God's church will prevail!