Shield – Praying Pint

36.j. Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

Romans 4:1-3 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Romans 4:9-10 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised.

Romans 4:19-24 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.

Galatians 3:5-7 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? – just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

There was a good reason for God to say this. Abram had just defeated a much larger army made up of a partnership of four kings. He had reason to be afraid, expecting an attack of retribution. God told Abram this because he was afraid, and afraid for good reasons. Yet God also gave him a reason to put away his fear. God doesn’t tell us do not be afraid without giving us a reason to put away our fear.

God knows how to become the answer to our need. When we need a shield or a reward, He becomes those things for us. “I do not think that any human mind can ever grasp the fullness of meaning of these four words, ‘I am thy reward.’ God himself the reward of his faithful people” “If God be our reward, let us take care that we do really enjoy him. Let us exult in him, and let us not be pining after any other joy.” (Spurgeon).

The faith that made Abram righteous wasn’t so much believing in God (as we usually speak of believing in God), as it was believing God. Those who only believe in God (in the sense of believing He exists) are merely on the same level as demons.

Believing in God or believing God – Believing in God does not mean you believe Him, His Word, and what it says. Believing in God without believing God is like believing there is eternal heaven but never seeking or desiring the righteousness to find home there upon death. You might believe in God but discount the need for repentance, forgiveness, redemption, salvation, obedience, and reliance on Jesus Christ. You might believe in God but never give thought to humble surrender before Him. You may believe in God but never spend time in His Word. You may believe in God but never expect to hear those quiet whispers deep in your heart and soul that would lead you to believe Him. You may believe in God but never choose to live a life that honors and glorifies Jesus Christ in all you say, think, and do. Believing God is more than just believing in God. There is a transformation in your life. A new birth. A spiritual birth. You become a new creation. born-again. Never let believing in God be the end of your submission and reliance on Him. Believe God, believe His Word, and learn to apply it in your life for His honor and glory.

25.o. “You will not fear the pestilence that stalks”

Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

The opening lines of Psalm 91 seem to take that idea further. “Moses spoke of God as the dwelling-place, the habitation, the home of man. There are many followers of Jesus Christ who seem to know very little of the secret place of the Most High or what it is to abide under His shadow. Many seem to regard this as only a thing for mystics or the super-spiritual. For the man well acquainted with the realities of life and understanding the frailty of it, there is a place where it’s influence to fear, chaos, and uncertainty are defeated. It is true that the life of the spirit seems to come more easily for some than for others, but there is an aspect of the secret place of the Most High that is for everyone who puts his trust in Him.

“Every child of God looks towards the inner sanctuary and the mercy-seat, yet all do not dwell in the most holy place; they run to it at times, and enjoy occasional approaches, but they do not habitually reside in the mysterious presence.” (Spurgeon) Walking in or standing in or staying in the shadow of God would mean we are close to Him – In His presence. The one who is in His presence knows of and trusts in God’s almighty power and rests in that refuge and fortress.

“Men are apt enough to proclaim their doubts, and even to boast of them, indeed there is a party nowadays of the most audacious pretenders to culture and thought, who glory in casting suspicion upon everything; hence it becomes the duty of all true believers to speak out and testify with calm courage to their own well-grounded reliance upon their God.” (Spurgeon) Doubts will lead down paths straight into the pit of fear. This is no path for a christian to be on. We can not read or listen to most social media outlets without them casting out doubts and fears. We need to be mindful of the lies of Satan and his ways. God is bigger, more powerful, and more knowing than any of these. God also protects His people in times of plague and disease. The psalmist, inspired by the Holy Spirit, did not intend this as an absolute promise, that every believer would be delivered from every snare or every pestilence. Instead, the idea is that the psalmist could point to many times when God did just that for His trusting people. “This does not mean that those who trust God never die from infectious diseases or suffer from an enemy’s plot, of course. It means that those who trust God are habitually delivered from such dangers. What Christian cannot testify to many such deliverances?” “Lord Craven, a Christian, was a nobleman who was living in London when plague ravaged the city in the fifteenth century. In order to escape the spreading pestilence Craven determined to leave the city for his country home, as many of his social standing did. He ordered his coach and baggage made ready. But as he was walking down one of the halls of his home about to enter his carriage, he overheard one of his servants say to another, ‘I suppose by my lord’s quitting London to avoid the plague that his God lives in the country and not in town.’ It was a straightforward and apparently innocent remark. But it struck Lord Craven so deeply that he canceled his journey, saying, ‘My God lives everywhere and can preserve me in town as well as in the country. I will stay where I am.’ So he stayed in London. He helped the plague victims, and he did not catch the disease himself.” (Boice)

God, our God, lives in all places and is in all places. He is a refuge and fortress for those who put their trust in Him.

21. “Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”

Psalm 34:11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Proverbs 4:1   Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,

2 Timothy 3:15    and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 8:17    I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.

Isaiah 28:9   “To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message?

Proverbs 22:6    Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Ecclesiastes 12:1   Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10   Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.  Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

Psalms 32:8   I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Psalms 111:10   The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.

Proverbs 1:7    The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 2:1-9     My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,  making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;  yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,  if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,  then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.  For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;  he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,  guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.  Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path;

Think about how much time we invest in learning in our modern society. We begin with one year of kindergarten, then twelve years of graded school, then four years of college, then up to five years of graduate school. Then, for some professions, like the medical field, there are three to seven more years of specialty training. Some people spend twenty years or more learning because education is valuable and usually contributes to greater success in life. But how often do we think about learning to fear the Lord? That is, do we consider growing deeper and deeper in our relationship with Him as a “curriculum” of sorts? A curriculum that lasts a lifetime? This was a common theme in the nation of Israel. Citizens of Israel were expected to be taught how to fear the Lord—how to honor Him, trust Him, love Him, worship Him, and more. And the main vehicle for that learning was the Word of God—the words of His law (Deuteronomy 31:12-13). When you read and study your Bible, think of it as learning to fear the Lord—a curriculum that lasts a lifetime. (David Jeremiah)

It is foolish to think a person could or would become a doctor, lawyer, electrician, plumber, engineer, teacher, or another profession, by the mere fact of stating that you are. To become one of any of these requires an intentional choice to begin to learn, continue to learn, and gain the knowledge and understanding and the necessary and on-going skills to apply it. People are tested and certified as competent and given licenses to practice in various fields of study and vocation. Some specialize and become experts in a particular vein of their field of study. It all takes time, commitment, and dedication. Some may even commit to continual learning in their field until the day they die. This commitment and dedication are viewed as having been beneficial to society in some way, either to the whole or to a group, as in an engineer who works for a company that designs and builds medical equipment, or a lawyer who works for a firm that defends the rights of the abused, or a teacher/professor who instructs on a particular requirement for a degree, etc…. They have committed to having an impact in others’ lives by their commitment to knowledge and understanding in their field of expertise.

Oh that it was so with Christians, where continual commitment, dedication, and seeking to understand and gain knowledge of how to live to honor, glorify, follow, trust, rely and obey God all of their days. When people commit to a job or profession they start by learning precept upon precept and continue this process until they have achieved the minimum requirements to gain certification or licensure. Too often Christians believe they have obtained the minimum requirements to gain eternal life and they stop their dedication and commitment to gaining understanding and knowledge of God. How foolish would it be for a person to think that after completing kindergarten that they have learned it all and there is no longer any more understanding or knowledge to be gained? Yet, some Christians believe this to be true. Likewise, how foolish would it be to graduate from college after 4-8 years of study and then not continue to grow, learn, and stay on top of new developments within their field? And, even more, foolish is the person who does not apply or make any effort to apply the knowledge and understanding they have taken the time to gain. To end our lives in a state of neglect and complacency toward understanding and knowledge of God is to enter eternity with disregard for God and Jesus Christ His Son. Don’t end your life with this disregard. Spend time in His Word. Seek and desire to know more and more about how to honor, glorify, worship, follow, trust, and obey Him. Certainly, The creator of all there is, is worthy of all we have and all we do.

11.s. “The scatterer has come up against you.”

Nahum 2:1 The scatterer has come up against you. Man the ramparts; watch the road; dress for battle; collect all your strength. For the Lord is restoring the majesty of Jacob as the majesty of Israel, for plunderers have plundered them and ruined their branches.

Jeremiah 51:20-23    “You are my hammer and weapon of war: with you I break nations in pieces; with you I destroy kingdoms;  with you I break in pieces the horse and his rider; with you I break in pieces the chariot and the charioteer;  with you I break in pieces man and woman; with you I break in pieces the old man and the youth; with you I break in pieces the young man and the young woman;  with you I break in pieces the shepherd and his flock; with you I break in pieces the farmer and his team; with you I break in pieces governors and commanders.

2 Chronicles 25:8     But go, act, be strong for the battle. Why should you suppose that God will cast you down before the enemy? For God has power to help or to cast down.”

Jeremiah 46:9    Advance, O horses, and rage, O chariots! Let the warriors go out: men of Cush and Put who handle the shield, men of Lud, skilled in handling the bow. That day is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, to avenge himself on his foes.

Nahum proclaims the “Scatterer has come”. God’s coming destruction of Nineveh was the inevitable justice of God. It was not for the redemption of His people that was primary but the vindication and honor of God. History records numerous times where God has redeemed His people from Israel hating and God-defying nations. If we look at this it seems as though as one head of the beast of this world is lopped off another reappears. We see this in Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and other lesser nations of strength, power, and defiance of God and His people. Prophecies in Daniel and Revelation speak of these major world powers and their destruction, yet another is coming. There are many nations right now that defy God and His people, but Revelation speaks of “Babylon the Great” and it will be the last world power to arise and defy God and try to destroy His people.

The “Scatterer” has come against you! Man your battle station, increase your watch, at to your security, get ready for battle, and summon all of your strength. In this we see God giving clear warning that His justice is coming and calling out to the defiers to prepare for battle against Him. They don’t stand a chance but their hearts and minds are confident from believing the lies of the Prince of this world, Satan. They have relied in, trusted in, and believed in their own self-power, strength, and might. Their hearts and minds are hardened. Self-sufficiency and self-reliance have totally replaced and need for or thought of the Creator of all there is, God. We need to be mindful of the lies from Satan and not allow any self-sufficiency and self-reliance to take root in our hearts and minds.

11.o. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you”

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

Psalms 18:1-2    I love you, O LORD, my strength.  The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Isaiah 26:1-4     You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

Psalms 144:1-2    Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;  he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge,

Proverbs 18:10    The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

Psalms 71:3    Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

Where do you find peace for your troubles and trials? Where do you go to find rest for your anxious and worried soul? Where do you go to when confusion and fear are tearing at your mind? God gave us many great and precious promises. “I will never leave you or forsake you”, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”, “I, I am he who comforts you”, “I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” When we run to Him and place our trust in Him we will find peace and rest for our soul. It is in Him alone where trails, trouble, and shadows of darkness fade away in the light of His glory and grace. We don’t have to look very deep to see what people will do when trials and troubles come their way. Why is it we always seem to shut God out and do things on our own rather than laying the burdens that hurt our hearts and keep us worried, angered, and upset at His feet? In Him alone will we find peace and rest that passes all understanding.

10.u.”The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart”

Micah 2:7 Has the Lord grown impatient? Are these his deeds? Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly?

Psalms 19:7-11    The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;  the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;  the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.  More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.  Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Proverbs 2:7     he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

Proverbs 10:29     The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers.

Hosea 14:9    Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

Jeremiah 15:16     Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.

Psalms 119:99-103   I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.  I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.  I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.  I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.  How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

God’s word is a light unto our path, a beacon to our soul, a delight to our heart, wisdom to our mind, shield against our fears, a stronghold of courage, a fortress of rest, joy, and peace, and a sure foundation throughout eternity. Through His Word, we find hope, and our faith is continually strengthened. His Word exposes the intent of our hearts and leads us onto paths that honor and glorify Him. His Word will revive a tired and broken soul. His Word will convict our hearts. His promises become our stronghold against the devil. Spend time in His Word, hungering, and thirsting for His truths to be revealed to your heart, mind, and soul. In them, the things of this world grow strangely dim and eternity grows brighter than the sun.

5.t. Because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience

Job 15:25 Because he has stretched out his hand against God and defies the Almighty, running stubbornly against him with a thickly bossed shield;

Job 15:31 Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself, for emptiness will be his payment. It will be paid in full before his time,

Isaiah 44:20    He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray

Galatians 6:7    Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Ephesians 5:6  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

The verse, “running stubbornly against Him with a thickly bossed shield” can describe many non-believers. They have not only chosen to disregard God’s call to salvation they also put up a strong shield against that call from God. I wonder what is was that hardened their heart to the point of actively shielding their heart, mind, and soul against the call of God. There are those who believe there is a “god” but just don’t believe in God’s wrath and judgment. They see no need for salvation because they are good enough and sin is what bad people do. They are much better than these bad people. There are those who do not believe in God and live according to their culture and the idols or gods their culture accepts. They close their ears to the call of God and chose to believe a lie and cling to false hope. There are those who know God and the need for salvation/redemption is real. They hear the call of God and come to Him for a one and done salvation moment. They seldom study God’s Word and seem to never grow in knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of God. There is really no apparent change in their life that can be seen by practical application of the principles of God. They chose to live as an infant.

I really don’t know what person is worse, the openly hardened heart and the defiant person or the complacent, lukewarm, neglectful “Christian”. The openly defiant person is recognizable and stands up for and defends what they believe even if it is a lie. People who see them can see a vast difference between them and others. They can say that life is wrong and I don’t want to be like that. They may even be driven closer to God because these defiant people expose a choice that needs to be made.

The lukewarm, complacent, and neglectful Christian seems to have a more devastating effect. People who see them will never see any difference in their lives. They will never see how Love for Jesus Christ’s sacrifice has changed and continues to change their life. They will never see what it means to be a humble servant. They will never see what it means to live in such a way to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in what is said and done. They will never know how what thankful worship is. But the worst of it is that some may think if this is all a Christian life is I see no need for it, it adds no benefit or change to a person’s life.

We can say all we want about how bad a hardened and defiant hearted person is but truly the person doing much more harm is the acknowledging Christian who lukewarmly waters down the sacrifice Jesus Christ made by living in a chosen state of neglect and complacency.

5.j. It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.

Job 12:13 “With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding. If he tears down, none can rebuild; if he shuts a man in, none can open. If he withholds the waters, they dry up; if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land. With him are strength and sound wisdom;

Psalms 147:5    Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

Proverbs 2:6-7   For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;  he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

Jeremiah 10:12   It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.

Colossians 2:3    to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

James 1:5    If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Isaiah said this about God; “ Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?” When you think about this and know that God consulted with no one. He was not taught these things. He created all there is by speaking them into existence. It is hard for us to imagine just how all-powerful, all-knowing, and always present God is. His majesty is beyond our deepest knowledge and understanding. His holiness is greater than purity. His power is greater than all the forces of man and all of nature. Yet, this same one and only God chose to send His son to redeem us, to create a new spirit within us, to give us peace, joy, rest, hope, love, and courage, to give us hope in eternity, to give us hope this side of eternity, and to know our sins are forgiven and removed as far as the east is from the west. God chose us. He called to us. He drew us close. He softened our hearts. He gave us the wisdom to know of both the need for salvation but also the Savior. He said, “come unto me all who are heavy with burden and I will give you rest”. Think about this for a while; the Creator of all there is leaves an open invitation for salvation and help. The do we wait to run into His wide-open arms?

187. O LORD, you have searched me and known me!

2 Kings 19:27 “But I know your sitting down and your going out and coming in, and your raging against me. Because you have raged against me and your complacency has come into my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will turn you back on the way by which you came. “And this shall be the sign for you: this year eat what grows of itself, and in the second year what springs of the same. Then in the third year sow and reap and plant vineyards, and eat their fruit. And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the Lord will do this.

“Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there, or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it. By the way that he came, by the same he shall return, and he shall not come into this city, declares the Lord. For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.”

And that night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies. Then Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went home and lived at Nineveh. And as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, Adrammelech and Sharezer, his sons, struck him down with the sword and escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place.

Psalms 139:1-11 O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,”

Jeremiah 23:23-24 “Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD.

The King of Assyria was full of pride. He brought to Hezekiah’s attention that all of the other lands he had conquered and that these kingdoms and their gods could do nothing to stop them. We read God responding to Hezekiah’s prayer and Assyrian King Sennacherib pride. God’s response; “I know your sitting down and your going out and coming in, and your raging against me” Nothing is hidden from God and though the Assyrian King thought himself to be something God made it clear that He would put a hook in his nose and a bit in his mouth and lead him right back the same way he came. Can you imagine being the King of Assyria and waking the next morning and 185,000 of your army is dead? Sennacherib gave no thought to the one and only true God. To him, the gods were all the same and have no power.

David knows God is everywhere and sees everything. He proclaims God knows our thoughts from a long way off and that a word does not form on our tongue but what God does not know it already. Knowing God this way builds our faith, trust, and reliance. Knowing God is always present gives us hope, peace, joy, love, and courage to face whatever comes our way. We have confidence that our God is in control and that “all things work together for the Good of those called by Him.

God is ever-present, all powerful, all knowing, and steadfast in His love for those who choose to humbly serve, honor, and obey.

131. That people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides Me

2 Samuel 22:31 This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. “For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? This God is my strong refuge and has made my way blameless.

Deuteronomy 32:4     “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.

Daniel 4:37     Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Revelation 15:3    And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!

Proverbs 30:5     Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalms 91:4    He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

Isaiah 45:21    And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me.

Isaiah 45:5-6   I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me,  that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other.

If we are to believe in, honor, worship, submit to, follow, obey, cling to, rely on, and trust in the one and only God, it is not enough to have a vague notion that there is some higher power out there, even if we concede that there is only one such higher power. We must seek to know who this God is. The Bible presents us with this one true God in a specific and detailed self-revelation(s). The God of the Bible makes very clear His identity as the one, self-existent, eternal, living God. The very first verse of the Bible announces that it was He who created both the heavens and the earth. If we are to know God, it can only be through God willfully making Himself known to us, and He has done so in the Bible, through His Spirit, and in the person of Jesus Christ.

Luke Wayne: “The God of the Bible is not just one culture’s version of every other god. The great I AM of Holy Scripture is the unique Creator, Governor, Provider, and Redeemer to whom all men of every nation must come to on God’s terms and not on our own. While this might be “narrow” and “exclusive,” it is true and is, in fact, quite good news! God has made Himself known to His creation and provided a way for us to come into true fellowship with Him! Not only is there one true and living God to believe in, but you can also know and commune with that God! You can stand is His awesome power, unfailing justice, and everlasting love.”