When I read David say the Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and he helps me, I realize that David knew a lot more about shields than I do.

David carried a shield and directed the use of shields in battle. I’m sure part of the Israeli defense budget paid for the construction and maintenance of shields. A shield stopped projectiles, protected its carrier from blows, and when combined with other warriors, formed a wall between them and their enemy.

Even today riot police carry shields, and body armor forms a type of shield. I once interacted with several security guards in an airport in Delhi, India, standing behind heavy metal shields as they checked IDs. Shields emerge in dangerous places.

David mentioned danger at hand—Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.

A person of malice spins cordial words to get us to drop our shields. Unprotected, they go about their work, leaving us lying wounded in the process.

David reminds us of the Lord, our spiritual shield, who stops darts from the enemy and forms walls like a fortress. David’s heart leapt for joy at the thought of such a strength and shield.

May our hearts do the same.

Psalm 28 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Erik Mclean

We learn some fascinating things about Jesus, the Son of God, when reading his description from Paul in Colossians.

You probably knew that the universe coalesced and developed life because of Jesus. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or ruler or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

But do you remember that even now, this very moment, Jesus sustains all life? He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

If Jesus lets go, we explode into a gazillion pieces, which then float through space eroding into a gazillion more pieces. Happy to not be flying into little chunks all over your room? Thank Jesus—the creator and sustainer of all.

Paul paints for us these images of the supremacy of the Son of God. But I love the way the preacher, S.M. Lockridge (Shadrach Meshach Lockridge) put the thoughts into words. I don’t think anyone ever said it better.

Click here, turn your volume up, and enjoy a preacher describing the supremacy of Jesus.

That’s my King. Do you know him?

Colossians 1 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Ivan Diaz

I tend to lean into the promises of life and grace and kindness as I read the scriptures, and there exists plenty to lean into. However, I ignore the warnings to my detriment.

David speaks of the conspiracy of the wicked, of evildoers who sharpen their tongues like swords and ambush the innocent…people who plot injustice.

Then David adds this poignant insight: Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

Does this passage remind anyone else of the Russian president?

The author of Hebrews also issues a stark warning: If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, only a fearful expectation of judgement and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

The Russian leader certainly knows and talks his religion. But he ignores the words of Jesus.

As these words from scripture remind us, judgement belongs to the Lord. These passages also point out that the Lord judges either in this life, or the next, and most often both. So it’s wise to remember this final, terrible line of scripture:

It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Don’t ignore the warnings.

Psalm 64 and Hebrews 10 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Pop & Zebra

In our small group at church we looked at the concept of spiritual gifts this past week. One way to think of these gifts are other-focused talents given by the Holy Spirit upon accepting Christ. Spiritual gifts are discussed in several places in the New Testament, and it’s fascinating to think about how the Holy Spirit infuses believers with different gifts to benefit those around us.

Encouragement is one such gift. As we went around our group and discussed our gifts (we each took a spiritual gifts assessment the week prior), multiple hands shot up when I asked, who scored high on the gift of encouragement?

A bunch of encouragers—that’s a good group to hang with.

The writer of Hebrews, also an encourager, put it this way: Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.

Those with this gift offer encouragement as easily as I reach for a second cupcake.

But those of us without this gift should still work to encourage others. I think this passage was specifically written for people like myself. I need to consider how to encourage others, to stop and think about it. Just because I’m not gifted doesn’t spare me the responsibility of spurring others on to love and good deeds.

Besides, no one minds a little encouragement, even from those of us without the gift.

Hebrews 10 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by krakenimages