“God reigns over the nations;
God sits on His holy throne.
The princes of the people have gathered together,
The people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God;
He is greatly exalted.”
(Psalm 47:8-9, NKJV).
What is happening in Israel is inexpressibly heartbreaking. As I was in prayer for this precious nation, I turned on an online worship service from this past weekend. Someone read the entirety of Psalm 47 before their team began to sing. When the pastor reading got to the last verse (above), the phrase, “…the shields of the earth belong to God…” jumped out at me. My spirit recognized that Holy Spirit was breathing on it. I opened my Bible app and took a closer look at it in several translations.
A few hours later, I was listening to a podcast. The minister who had recorded it two weeks earlier made reference to the exact same verse. When I heard him utter, “…The shields of the earth belong to God…”, my ears perked up even more than the first time. I have learned to pay close attention when Holy Spirit does things like this. The repetition makes it quite clear that He is inviting us to lean in and listen closely for what He wants to communicate.
The podcast minister then went on to say, “There is something far greater than the Iron Dome at work right now.” I believe he hit in right on the nose, expressing what is on God’s heart with this verse. The magnificent technology of the Iron Dome is a sight to behold. However, it pales in comparison with the supernatural protection that only God can provide. All shields on earth belong to Him. All effective protection that ever happens anywhere, is His.
Not only that, but He provides us invisible shields constantly that we usually are entirely unaware of. If it weren’t for His constant protection, all of us would have been dead by now. To be more specific, you and I probably wouldn’t have been born. The enemy of our souls would have long ago wiped out the human race, if God weren’t protecting us powerfully and unceasingly. Saved and unsaved souls alike have angels assigned to their lifelong protection.
God owns all shields. He takes ownership of the responsibility of protecting and sustaining His creation. This same God, our God, is watching over Israel. He Himself is their Protector, their Shield. We read more about His protective heart for them in the previous chapter in Psalms:
“God is in the midst of her, she shall not moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth…
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
(Ps. 46: 5-7, 9-10, NKJV).
I am so grateful that the One who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. Tonight, may He comfort those who mourn in Zion. And may He find you and me on our watch, partnering with Him in intercession for the apple of His eye.
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Do you believe that your prayers for Israel make a difference?
Feeding On Jesus 
Jennifer, this post blesses me so much! ❤ And I LOVE the picture! I just got through writing a piece about Psalm 46, to be posted tomorrow. The LORD seems to be reminding all of us that He hasn't left us. We just need to make sure WE don't lose focus of Him.
Blessings,
Annie
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Aw I am so glad it did, Annie! Amen and amen. I look forward to reading your post!
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Catching up on my reading Jennifer. This post is a real blessing, as Annie observed before me. I don’t know how people who don’t know Him get out of bed in the morning. But we are not left to hiding under the blankets. We are called to don our armor and take up the sword and get to the battle! Bless you!
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Praise God! I rejoice to know that it blessed you, Jon. I am so thankful that He has provided such powerful armor for us. In recent years, He has trained me to do a better job putting it on every morning before I get out of bed. It makes all the difference!
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