Connect Psalm 18:35 with Ephesians 6:16 on the concept of divine protection. Psalm 18:35 – The shield bestowed “You have given me Your shield of salvation; Your right hand upholds me, and Your gentleness exalts me.” • God Himself issues the shield. • The shield is salvation—complete rescue and security. • The Almighty hand upholds, so the believer never stands alone. • His gentleness (or humility) lifts the rescued one to victory and dignity. Ephesians 6:16 – The shield employed “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” • The believer actively raises the shield. • Faith cleaves to God’s character and Word. • Fiery arrows—temptations, accusations, fears—meet a divine barrier and are quenched before impact. One protection, two emphases • Psalm 18 highlights the shield God gives; Ephesians 6 highlights the shield we grip. • Salvation supplied becomes faith exercised. • Protection flows from divine initiative and is realized through trust-filled obedience. • The same Lord both hands the shield to the believer and empowers the believer to wield it. Layers of defense pictured in Scripture • Proverbs 30:5 – “He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” • Genesis 15:1 – “I am your shield, your very great reward.” • Psalm 91:4 – “His faithfulness is a shield and rampart.” • 2 Samuel 22:36 – Repeats the promise of Psalm 18:35, underscoring reliability. Living beneath and behind the shield • Rest in the finished work of salvation; no assault can undo what God has accomplished. • Lift faith daily—consciously affirm truth over feelings and circumstances. • Speak Scripture aloud; the Word reinforces the shield (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). • Stay upright; obedience aligns the believer with the protective presence (Psalm 84:11). • Stand in fellowship with other believers; overlapping shields form an unbroken wall (Philippians 1:27). Resulting confidence • God’s right hand stabilizes every step. • Arrows are extinguished, not merely deflected; the enemy’s attack loses its fire. • Gentleness from the throne turns battles into occasions for exaltation. • Salvation experienced and faith exercised produce an unassailable refuge for the soul. |
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