Notice our verse for today: 

Psalm 3:3 KJV

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

From man's standpoint David's God was not who David claimed God was, but in David's heart he knew differently. As I have stated before I will mention again the life we live will either cause others to see our Savior in a bad way or in a good way. 

Although the Lord was looked at as not good from man's standpoint, David knew the Lord to be more than good. Notice the first thing about the Lord that David mentioned:

1.) David mentions the Lord was a shield for him

From the eyes of the world the king should never run from his son but why is David, king of Israel, running from Absalom? He could have had him killed in an instant for trying to take over the throne. If the Lord is who David says He is, why is David running for his life? 

Understand sometimes we cannot see the other side due to the present situation. We like to be one sided in our judgment yet we must look at the whole story. David, having sinned against the Lord, should have died because he killed someone that was innocent, but the mercy of the Lord was great towards David. 

The Lord was a shield for David. The word shield has a thought of a protector or hedge around someone. 

Notice some verses where David mentioned the Lord was his shield:

2 Samuel 22:3 KJV

The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

Psalm 28:7 KJV

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Psalm 115:9-11 KJV

O Israel, trust thou in the Lord : he is their help and their shield. [10] O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord : he is their help and their shield. [11] Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord : he is their help and their shield

The Psalm for the Sons of Korah mentions God as a shield

Psalm 84:9,11 KJV

Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. [11] For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

The Lord is a shield for the righteous.

Psalm 5:12 KJV

For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

David acknowledged the Lord had been his protector in times past and He would be his protector now. Even though it was not looking like that at the moment David realized that the Lord would take care of him. 

Remember that it was David's sin that put him in the situation he was in, now the only thing to do was to rely on the Lord. 

God told Abraham in Genesis 15 that He was Abraham's shield. Notice the verse:

Genesis 15:1 KJV

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

God told Israel in Deuteronomy 33 that He was their shield. Notice the verse:

Deuteronomy 33:29 KJV

Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

Application to today's fire-starter: As God was Abraham's, Israel's, and David's shield He can be our shield as well. Let's be reminded that He has protected us from a lot of things, may we never take for granted the things God does for us. 

A call to action: Let's also illustrate to the world how the Lord protects us.

What can you do today that will show the world the kind of God we serve? 

Psalm 3:1-8 KJV

Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. [2] Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. [3] But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. [4] I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. [5] I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. [6] I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. [7] Arise, O Lord ; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. [8] Salvation belongeth unto the Lord : thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.