GOD IS MY SHIELD AND DIGNIFIER

“But You, O Lord, are a SHIELD FOR ME, my glory and the One who LIFTS UP MY HEAD” – Psalm 3:3

By Faith in God’s Word, I declare that GOD IS MY SHIELD and ‘DIGNIFIER’: ““But You, O Lord, are a SHIELD FOR ME, my glory and the One who LIFTS UP MY HEAD” (Psa.3:3). David wrote Psalm 3 while he was fleeing Jerusalem to escape his son Absalom who was in the process of a hostile takeover of the nation! This was a prayer in the face of being hunted down by many enemies, and it is pertinent to understand what was going on in his mind and heart. Not only was he pursued by enemies, but the leader of his foes was his own son! How heart breaking that must have been, on top of the distress of fleeing for his life. It must have been distressing for David to struggle with the fact that it was his own son who was leading an insurrection and directing the armies not only to chase David out of Jerusalem but now to surround him in the wilderness!

David began by lamenting that he was surrounded by many foes.  Regardless of how hard we try to live at peace with others, to not have an enemy or two is rare. Moreover, David’s enemies were so certain of themselves, their numbers,  seeming success, and military strategies; they were quite convinced that even God couldn’t save David: “Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God” (v.1b). To worsen his mental and moral torture, David knew why this was happening: that Absalom was leading a rebellion to kill him and take the throne in Israel was a consequence of David’s own sin. As recorded in 2 Samuel 11 and 12, David committed adultery and murder, and while God showed him mercy, the prophet Nathan declared a sobering word from God that the sword will never depart from his house (2Sam.12:9-13).

That background makes the contents all the more amazing. While his enemies were taunting him, telling him that God will not save him, probably reminding him of those past events as pointers to his vulnerability and lack of divine defence, David knew better. He refused to give up on God. In the wake of his son’s rebellion, which he knew was due to his own lack of faithfulness, he nevertheless returned to the Lord, trusting in His faithful protection. His confidence is stunning: “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head” (v.3, ESV). He compared God to his Shield – his source of perfect protection. This Shield was unique – a shield “about” and “around” David. Normally, soldiers kept their shields in front of them.  But here we discover God protected David on all sides, and He promises to do the same for all of His!

David knew God’s word, and he knew God’s heart. He knew that God was with him, and he knew that salvation is found only in the Lord. So he cried out to God in his anxiety, and there were two immediate consequences. First, he experienced real internal Peace and Faith – real assurance of protection: “I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around” (v.5,6). God’s protection during the night was just the boost David’s courage and faith needed. Then, he turned to ask for external peace, pleading with God for salvation from his enemies: “Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly” (v.7).

David went on to declare that God was the Lifter of his head. He was convinced that God would restore his dignity and position – restore him to the throne. The Psalm ends with a great and powerful statement of truth: “Salvation belongs to the Lord”! In summary: God saves!  God delivers! God defends! The God who told Abraham, “I am Your shield, Your exceedingly great reward” (Gen.15:1b) is our Defender and ‘Dignifier’!