For you bless the righteous O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:12)
There are certain scriptures that can have a wonderful, tone-setting effect for an entire day, and I think this is one of them. What would it be like if we walked through our days with this scripture in mind?
_The alarm goes off at 6 AM, ripping me out of slumber. For the past seven hours I’ve been sleeping, and as I was sleeping God’s favor was covering me. He was working for my good even as I was sleeping.
_I sit down to read my Bible, feel nothing, empty of desires. Spiritually cold. But I am righteous in Christ, and because of this God’s smile and favor are upon me, even though I feel absolutely nothing.
_Commuting to work, stuck in traffic. I’ve got a brutal day in front of me. Long hours, meetings with difficult people. Tough as these things are, they only get to me after they pass through the shield of God’s favor. As I sit in standstill traffic, God’s brilliant favor is pressing down on me, shielding me.
_Rumors of cutbacks are circulating through the office. The economy is tanking and someone is going to pay the price. Is it going to be me? If I lose my job, who will take care of my wife, my kids, my mortgage? Even the economy can’t puncture the shield of God’s favor that surrounds me. I might lose my job. The King of the universe will take care of me.
_I come home from work only to find out that my wife has come down with the flu. Yet this isn’t any old flu. This is a flu that God has brought through the shield of his favor.
_I collapse into bed, exhausted from a long day. But God’s not exhausted, and as I sleep his favor is still shielding me. Glorious.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
wow! That gives a whole new perspective on anything that may come our way. Remembering that anything that happens to us (good or bad) has first passed through the shield of God’s favor helps us to trust him more and rest in his sovereignty.
Thanks for the terrific perspective. I needed this fresh reminder today of the gospel truth.
I miss you and your family! Thanks for that powerful reminder, oh how precious is the favor of our King!
Wow Stephen!
I’m amazed at the way God speaks to us! I really needed to hear this today.
I have been having some struggles with my stepson and the other day it erupted big time, in fact he actually cocked his fist at me. I know after reading this post today that even this overwhelmingly difficult situation, God knew that it would happen and because of the shield of his favor on my life, it could have been much worse…there was no bloodshed!
But seriously, God is indeed sovereign and his hand is on me and he will work even this messed up situation for his glory! Again, I am totally blown away by the sovereignty of God, as you said in your post..Glorious!
Blessings
Ron Reffett
I know I’ve read this scripture many times before but it’s never jumped out at me like it did now. Amazing post and just what I desperately needed! Thanks so much!
Excellent meditations. I love thinking on the truth that GOd never sleeps nor slumbers. Somehow becoming a mom has helped me appreciate that scripture on a whole new level!
AMEN!
Reading this reminds me why the enemy trembles when we speak the Word … it truly is our sword!
Love this post!
So many people experience what you’re talking about that it is good to hear someone say it. Our lives are punctuated with things that we find difficult. Thank you.
Wendy and Anna – I’m glad you found this perspective helpful!
bethann – We miss Indiana!
Ron – So true, God is working through even the difficult challenges with your stepson.
Megan – It’s cool how God gives us new eyes to see truth, isn’t it?
Briana – Being a parent changes everything, doesn’t it?
Gina – How true that is. The word is our sword…living and active.
Jon – Yeah, I agree, hearing someone else relate a struggle I’ve experienced is helpful. You’re welcome.