What and Who God Is and what He does for us.

Psalm 3:3-6  “But Thou, O LORD, art a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to the LORD with my voice, and He answered me from His holy mountain. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about”.

Introduction  God is a shield.  God is (or should be) our glory.  God will cause our head to be lifted.  God allows us to talk to Him.  God answers us in various ways.  We can be at peace with God.  We have no fear because God takes care of us.

The Shield  Deuteronomy 33:29: “Blessed are you, O Israel; Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, Who is the shield of your help, and the sword of your majesty! So your enemies shall cringe before you, and you shall tread upon their high places”  2 Samuel 22:3 “My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my savior, Thou dost save me from violence.

The Shield  Psalm 28:7 “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults and with my song I shall thank Him”.  Psalm 33:20: “Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.”  Genesis 15:1: “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying,’ Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward will be very great’.”

The Shield  Ephesians 6:16: …in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one.”  The shield is our protection.  God is our protection  and our protector.

The Shield  Like David, who wrote this in a time of difficulty, we find ourselves in difficult times.  David’s son was trying to kill him.  David’s enemies were hunting him down to kill him.  David had nowhere else to go except for his faith in God to protect him.

Our Glory  Several things are mentioned in scripture as being glory.  The woman’s hair is her glory (1 Corinthians 11:15.  To God be glory.  Christ is to be glorified.  Glory is used in scripture as a form of boasting. Sometimes the people were chastised for promoting their own glory over God’s.

Our Glory  For those of us who qualify, we know just how proud we are of our grand-children. They are our glory.  Perhaps a trophy or belt buckle is something you earned or won, and you are proud of it. That item is your glory.  Your spouse is to be your glory.  Even though the word is not used, this describes the wise woman of Proverbs 31.

Lift Up Your Head  Job would not lift up his head out of disgrace, but also out of a feeling of unworthiness. Job 10:15  The publican would not lift his head, but beat upon his chest and spoke without look up. Luke 18:13  A sense of shame is associated with the phrase about not lifting up the head.

Lift Up Your Head  Similar to “keep your chin up” you don’t have to be down and depressed.  When we figure our that God is our shield and glory, we must realize that we are pleasing to God, and God will protect us and provide for us.  With that behind you, you should keep your head up.

Lift Up Your Head  When David said this, he knew that God would restore his dignity, remove his sorrow and disgrace.  Oppression and humiliation will cause one's head to be bowed low (Gen. 40:13).  When the Lord lifts one's head He restores him to his dignity, or, as David says, glory.  The Lord did this for mankind in general through the sacrifice of His beloved Son (Heb. 2:10).

God Is Still Our Shield And Glory  Men today may not be pursued by enemies like David was,  However, Satan is an enemy who will pursue and afflict men (1 Peter 5:8).  Sin will bring oppression, shame and disgrace resulting in a loss of dignity.  Yet, just as David in his trouble was able to cry to the Lord, men can do the same today.

God Is Still Our Shield And Glory  People must recognize their awful condition and seek the Lord in faith (Hebrews 11:6).  They must trust in the Lord to provide what is necessary to escape the affliction that has come upon them because of sin.  In obedient faith, they will do what the Lord says.  This is the manner in which men cry to the Lord or call upon the Lord today (Acts 22:16).

James 4:7-10  Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you”.

Conclusion  Have you enough faith to consider God your shield?  Are you proud enough to claim God in a glorious way.  Do you give God and Jesus the glory they deserve?  Are you walking about in shame, or can you bring yourself to lift up your head in humility?