The Lord, My Shield And My Buckler

Sometimes verses of Scripture grab ahold of your heart and don't let go. That happened to me several months in a row as I was reading the books of Psalms and Proverbs. 

If you don't already, add reading the Proverb that corresponds to the day of the month - 31 Proverbs, 31 days - to your Bible reading schedule. Similarly, if you read five Psalms every day, you'll read the entire book each month.

On the first of the month, Psalm 5:11-12 stood out like they were under a spotlight. Repeatedly. Every month like clockwork.

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. Psalm 5:11-12


It was the word shield - favor like a shield, wrapping around with protection and love. Shields are a defensive weapon, so knowing that you're surrounded and protected means you can focus on all the things a battle brings with it. What a confidence that stirs up!

Then, as I started Proverbs 2 on the second of the month, another shield word stood out.

He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. Proverbs 2:7

A buckler in Solomon's time was a shield up to 18 inches in diameter, gripped in the fist with a central handle behind the boss - the pointed metal piece in the center. It was useful in deflecting the blow of an opponent's weapon, binding his arms, hindering his movements, and punching him, all at once. 

So now the buckler is both defensive and offensive. God wraps us in favor, then He equips us to fight our battles with our greatest weapon - Himself! That battle plan just gained all the extra footing we need.

I've learned two things from this fascinating study. First, God provides wisdom and knowledge when we make reading His word a priority in our lives. Second, I am never alone on the spiritual battlefield of life. When I need Him, God is my offense and defense, and there is no greater confidence-booster than that. 

Are you armed and ready for the battle this week? God is.

P.S. Looking up the word buckler in Strong's Concordance was interesting, too. It says: A buckler is a shield, the small one or buckler, figuratively a protector, also the scaly hide of the crocodile. Crocodile is in the Bible! Too fun.

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