Oceans in the Desert

(Resend Due To Error In Original Post)

By Kathi Pelton

“For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12

When we think of the favor of the Lord we usually relate it to receiving divine approval, undeserved grace, and tangible blessings. But rarely do we think about it as a shield of protection.

Yet, Psalm 5 clearly states that his favor is a shield covering the righteous. It is a shield of protection, a blessing of divine success, and a supernatural force to open doors that no man can open for us.

I have been praying through Ephesians 6 (the armor of God) lately and the shield keeps standing out to me. The shield of faith is our ongoing trust and confidence in God and His promises. Ephesians 6:16 says that it is used to “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one,” (spiritual attacks, doubts, and temptations from the enemy).

“In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.” Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭16‬ ‭

The Armor of God is so necessary for the saints! Every part of his armor is essential in the lives of believers but the shield of faith, that stops the fiery arrows of the enemy, will also usher us into his favor that is a shield.

The Lord’s favor upon our lives also keeps us upon his straight path,

“Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.” Psalm 5:8

Psalm 5:9 goes onto say this about our enemies,

“For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongues.”

As I was meditating on the words, “favor as with a shield” I saw in my spirit his favor come to surround his people— body, soul and spirit— from head to toe.

The favor that is shielding us is opening doors that lead us onto straight paths that the enemy cannot access. It is keeping us safe from the open grave that the enemy has dug and the trap of destruction he has laid out to ensnare us.

As the nations rage and we witness the deceit being revealed even within what we called “the temple”, God is saying to the righteous, “I am covering you with favor as with a shield! I am your refuge.”

“…Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” Psalm 2:12

He is shielding you from the fiery darts. His favor will lead you to paths of righteousness and purity where deceit and the plans of the enemy cannot come near your dwelling.

“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head.” Psalm 3:3

If your head is hung low at this time, receive his favor as your shield. Run to him as your refuge and watch the blessings of favor flow. He will lead you onward. The enemy desires to bury you in the open grave of the deceptions that have been revealed but God has a straight path— a path of life— for you to walk on that that enemy cannot access.

He will lift your head, revive you, heal you and surround you with FAVOR! His favor will shield you and bless you.

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