Our Shield
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart celebrates, and I give thanks to him with my song. Psalm 28:7
I have a fair complexion with lots of freckles. Growing up and throughout most of my adult life, I had red hair, too. Summertime is the time to be in the sun, right? Well, needless to say, I have had a strained relationship with the sun for most of my life! I love being outside, but being in the sun has always been a challenge, often resulting in sunburn or sun poisoning. Over the years, I have discovered ways to shield myself from it-sunscreen, hats, umbrellas, long sleeves, etc. I basically take any and all steps to protect myself from harmful ultraviolet rays. Sunburn is painful and just no fun! And no one wants to face skin cancer later in life!
A shield is a defensive weapon used in combat to protect a warrior from his enemy’s blows and to deflect harmful thrown objects such as spears. Shields have been used for centuries and usually consist of a plate made in assorted shapes and sizes and from different materials. When I think of a shield, I can’t help but think of epic fight scenes in movies like Braveheart, Gladiator, and The Lord of the Rings.
In Genesis 15, God established his covenant with Abram. He promised that Abram, later called Abraham, would become the father of a great nation of people. This was especially interesting given the fact that Abram was an old man with no children at the time. In Genesis 15:1, God comes to Abram in a vision and says, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” In this way, God was declaring Himself as Adonai Mageni, Hebrew for “The Lord is my Shield,” and as Abram’s ultimate protector. But, this promise was not only for Abram. This powerful truth is echoed throughout Scripture, offering a steadfast anchor in times of distress, hardship, or struggle.
We fight in battles every day, both seen and unseen. We live in a world full of dangers, attacks, and spiritual opposition. However, as believers, we have assurance knowing that God is our shield. When we acknowledge God as Adonai Mageni, we invite His divine defense into our circumstances and find peace in the promise that nothing can penetrate what He has covered. I can think of many examples in my own life of how God protected me by redirecting my path, keeping me from harm, convicting me of sin, providing a way out, giving me victory, or simply saving me from myself.
The spiritual battle we face has been raging since the fall of mankind in Genesis 3. Paul speaks of the shield of faith in Ephesians 6, a core piece of the spiritual armor of God. This shield Paul refers to is the massive, door-sized shield that covered a Roman warrior's entire body. Paul told believers to use their shield of faith against the enemy's spiritual attacks. John 10:10 tells us that the enemy is out to steal, kill, and destroy. But God defends and protects His believers in countless ways every day. This includes both spiritual and physical dangers, allowing us to face life's challenges with confidence.
A shield does not remove or end the battle, but it provides protection in the middle of it. Likewise, God may not always take away every difficulty, but He is always near. He promises His presence, strength, wisdom, and peace as we walk through life’s struggles. May we replace fear, anxiety, and worry with confidence knowing that God is our shield. Let’s stop looking to and chasing after other means and allow God to shield us, to cover us, and to protect us today. Run to Him, seek refuge in Him, and trust Him!
Call to Action
Read Genesis 15:1 aloud, filling in the blank with your name: “Do not be afraid, ______. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
Where have you experienced God’s protection in your past?
From whom or what do you need shielding and protection currently?
How does remembering God’s past protection help you trust Him with your current situation?
How are you comforted knowing that God is your shield?
What would it look like to trust God as your shield today?
Digging Deeper
Check out these additional verses about God as our Shield and His protection: Deuteronomy 33:29, Psalm 3:3, Psalm 18:2 and 30, Psalm 28:7, Psalm 32:7, Proverbs 30:5, Isaiah 41:10, Ephesians 6:16, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, 2 Timothy 4:18.
Prayer
God, thank You for being our shield. When we are faced with hardship, struggle, or harm, help us trust that You are near and that You will protect us. Guard our hearts and minds, strengthen our faith, and remind us that we never face life’s battles alone. Teach us not to rely on ourselves but to rest in Your protection. Thank You for Your constant love and care.
Copyright © 2026 Kyle Cravens