Sample from "101 Thoughts From The Word vol one"

“But You, O LORD, are a shield for me”
Reading: Psalm 3:1-8
What an encouragement and strength these words can be to you, my soul. On the one hand, there are many who say your faith is worthless and you seek help from God in vain, but on the other hand you know Him to be your Help and, indeed, have proved Him to be so. “God is a figment of your imagination,” they say, but you know He is real because you have a personal relationship with Him. “God is nothing more than a crutch for you to lean on,” they deride, as they unwittingly state a half-truth. You lean on Him, the God of Israel (Isaiah 48:2), and not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5), but they are wrong when they assume He is nothing more. The fullness of God is there for each believer to partake of and enjoy (Ephesians 3:19). The Hebrew word translated ‘shield’ signifies more than a shield as we think of it. It refers to a buckler, a protection that completely surrounds a soldier above, beneath, around, without and within. Does this not describe more fully that which God is to His people? Complete protection is what your Savior is to you. He fends off the fiery darts that the devil constantly fires toward you from all directions. In your daily walk of life you will be faced with many events that, if the Lord was not your Shield, would throw you into the depths of despair. The “D” words – disappointment, discouragement, despondency, despair, are all realities in life. You will face your fair share of disappointments, but can be protected from its effects. Disappointments will confront you, they are a part of life, and, if not handled correctly, will lead you into discouragement, then to despondency and finally despair. The number of suicides is alarming and is especially tragic when committed by a Christian. To the one who has been brought to the depths of despair, with no apparent hope, suicide is sometimes the only answer, but not so with those who have committed their life to Christ. Peter wrote, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” 1 Peter 5:6-7. This is a lesson you must learn if you wish to be protected from the devastating effects of disappointment. God has promised to be your Shield, and it is only as you humble yourself and turn to Him for help, that you will experience His protection. Why do you attempt to face life’s disappointments alone when He has promised to help you?

When disappointments come my way,
O Redeemer, be my Shield;
When doubt my spirit seeks to sway,
Dear Master, be my Shield.

When tempted not to turn to Thee,
Holy Spirit, help me yield;
When engulfed by life’s angry sea,
Jehovah, be my Shield.

Help me, on Thee to cast my care,
God of love, to Thee I yield;
Help me turn to Thee in prayer,
And know Thee as my Shield.

O Thou, Who lifts my bowing head,
With hope my heart is filled;
No more worry, but now instead
I know Thee as my Shield.