Rabbi’s Reflections – Monday, September 9, 2024
Shalom,
Psalms
Psalm 18:3(2) – Part 7
Psalm 18:3 Adonai is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in Him I take refuge, my shield, my horn of salvation, my stronghold.
God is my “Shield.” This brings to mind a question, “Why do I (you) need a shield?” Even better, that God, Himself, would be your shield. The borrowed (from English) Hebrew word, “Protec’sia” (figure it out if you don’t already know) comes to mind. Paul answers this question in one verse….
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
That’s right, the “evil one” is firing “flaming arrows” in our direction. God provides our shield of faith to deflect them. Now let’s answer another question. What are flaming arrows, really? To properly answer this question, we have to understand the essence of Satan’s rebellion. His rebellion on earth began in the Garden of Eden, where he drew Eve into deception by accusing God of being a liar.
Genesis 3:1 But the serpent was shrewder than any animal of the field that Adonai Elohim made. So it said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from all the trees of the garden’?” Then Satan doubled down by telling yet another lie. Genesis 3:4 The serpent said to the woman, “You most assuredly won’t die!
Satan is a liar, and His lies are arrows hurled in our direction. When we believe one of His lies, that is called a stronghold. The shield of faith prevents us from believing Satan’s lies. We’re going to get to this verse later in Psalm 18, but right now, it just won’t keep. God gives us all the answers. When we come to Him through faith in Yeshua, God begins to reorder every area of our lives, bringing us into alignment with the principles of His kingdom.
Psalm 18:33(32) God girds me with strength and makes my way straight….36(35) You gave me the shield of Your salvation (Yeshua). Your right hand upholds me, Your gentleness makes me great.
Well now, believe those promise and consider yourself blessed. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/
6 Elul Monday 9-Sep-24
Deuteronomy 21:22-22:7 Hosea 11-12 1 Chronicles 29 John 15 Hebrews 7:1-14