Protection comes in many forms. Some things protect us by preventing threats at their source. For example, a balanced diet protects you from numerous health problems by avoiding them altogether. But other forms of protection take the hit instead. That’s how shields work.

On Sunday, Rev. Joe Magri came and preached from Psalm 3, which confidently declares, “But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” Psalm 3 is a lament. It’s a prayer for hard times. As Joe pointed out, it’s a psalm about fear. It’s opening words cry out, “O LORD, how many are my foes!” With danger closing in from all sides, how is God going to protect us from our enemies?

If it were up to us, we’d want God to work like a balanced diet. We’d ask him to keep our enemies away before they even set out in the first place. The less we know, the better, so we can get on with our lives uninterrupted. Wouldn’t that be convenient?

However, that assumes all of our enemies are on the outside and that all we have to do is keep them away. That’s true of some of our enemies, but the Bible tells us that our greatest enemy is already within the gates. It bubbles up from within us – and it’s called sin. Our own sin entices us away from the Lord of Life and seduces us towards our own destruction. It takes many forms and often we don’t even notice it. No villain is so dastardly – so dangerous – as sin.

So, how will God protect us from that enemy? He does it by being our shield. A shield doesn’t stop an enemy archer from firing his arrows. Instead, the shield takes the hit. It covers the shield bearer and takes the blows instead. Friends, that’s the story of Jesus! He’s a shield for everyone who puts their faith in him. When the enemy of sin had already infiltrated deep into our own hearts, Jesus protected us by becoming our shield. On the cross, he took the hits that we deserve. Each hammer blow that drove the nails was a blow intended for us. We can lift our heads in glory because Jesus hung his head in death for us.

Where do you need the Lord’s protection? What enemies are rising up against you? When fear gets the better of you, remember Jesus. Consider how he went to the cross for you. Recall the way he rose from the dead, winning victory over sin and death. He is your shield. He is your protector. If Jesus was able to protect you from sin and the death it brings, what other enemy could ever be too great for him? Salvation belongs to the Lord and his blessing is on his people – because Christ who died lives again.