A Sun and Shield

In this Bible study session we are going to take a close look at Psalm 84 verse 11:

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord bestows grace and favor and honor; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Amplified Bible)

Let’s explore this verse:

A Sun

We know that the sun is one of the great lights God created in the beginning (see Genesis 1: 14 – 18) and God made the sun to rule over the day. We also learn from science that plants need sunlight to grow; to power the process called photosynthesis. We also learn from science that human beings need sunlight to make Vitamin D, which is essential for health. In our daily lives, regardless of where we live, we are always happy to see the sun.

So when the Bible says the Lord God is a sun, it tells us that God rules over the day, gives life, gives brightness to our lives, takes away the darkness that would want to cloud our mind and spirit, makes things grow, gives us health and vitality, and gives us joy and gladness. God is great and mighty indeed!

A Shield

A shield is something that protects from danger or risk. God is telling us in Psalm 84:11 that He is a shield. The Lord protects us from danger or risk. He keeps us protected always. The Bible tells us in Psalm 23 verse 4:

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (New King James Version)

Let us take a look at some scriptures about the Lord being a shield:

Psalm 28 verse 7:

The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. (New King James Version)

Genesis 15 verse 1:

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:

“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” (New International Version).

Proverbs 30 verse 5:

Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. (New King James Version)

Psalm 3 verse 3:

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. (New King James Version)

Grace

The second line of our study verse says “The Lord bestows grace and favor and honor;”.

Here is one definition of grace in theology: "Grace is favour, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God, adoptive sons, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life." It is also defined as “a spontaneous gift from God to people "generous, free and totally unexpected and undeserved".

"Grace" is the English translation of the Greek χάρις (charis) meaning "that which brings delight, joy, happiness, or good fortune."

Let us take a look at some scriptures on Grace:

Romans 3 verses 22 to 24:

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (New International Version)

Acts 6 verse 8:

Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. (New International Version)

Ephesians 2 verses 8 to 9:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (New International Version)

Hebrews 4 verse 16:

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (New King James Version)

Romans 6 verse 14:

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. (New King James Version)

In summary, the Lord bestows grace upon us, His children. God gives grace through faith in Christ Jesus. It is through being a child of God, surrendering to Jesus that we activate the grace of God in our lives.

Favour

We are still looking at the second line of our study verse which says “The Lord bestows grace and favor and honor;”.

Favour is closely related to grace. Favour is defined as an act of kindness beyond what is due or usual. Finding favor means gaining approval, acceptance, or special benefits or blessings.

Some examples of God’s people who enjoyed divine favour:

Esther (see the book of Esther).

Daniel (see Daniel 1: 1 – 17).

Samuel (1 Samuel 2: 26).

Honour

The Lord bestows grace and favor and honor – Psalm 84:11b

It is the Lord who bestows honour on a person.

Honour can be described as great esteem; regard with great respect; high respect.

Let’s look at Revelation 5 verse 12:

saying with a loud voice:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (New King James Version)

Jesus is the Lamb of God (John 1:29) and through His death and resurrection, He received honour. He received it for all who will become children of God.

No Good Thing Will He Withhold From Those Who Walk Uprightly

The last line of our study verse says that God will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly. To walk uprightly means to live your life in obedience to the Word of God (see Psalm 1). You can only live your life in obedience to God and His Word by surrendering your life to Him and becoming a child of God.

In John 14 verse 6, the Word of God tells us that Jesus is the ONLY way to God:

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (New International Version).

When a person walks uprightly (surrenders his or her life to Jesus Christ, becomes a child of God, and lives their life in obedience to God’s Word), the Lord does not withhold any good thing from such a person.

The first step is to surrender to Jesus and invite Him into your life to be your Lord and Saviour. If you would like to do that, click HERE to pray the salvation prayer.

(c) Edikan Uko

About the Author

Edikan Uko is an entrepreneur, and management consultant focusing on strategic management and innovation. She is a media owner and publisher. She is an alumna of University of Strathclyde Business School.

She is also a Bible teacher, speaker, founder of Arise Global Intercessors, and editor of LoveFaithandMiracles.com

Twitter: @IAmEdikanUko

Email: edikan@lovefaithandmiracles