| God was his shield – to protect him, to guard him from the anger and power of all the kings of earth and their armies, and able and willing to make all things work together for his good. What a comfort was in this thought. How it reminds us that God is our shield also; our protector from every evil thing and power. The thought is beautifully expressed in one of our hymns: – "Shield of my soul, though tempests rage, And 'gainst me hosts of foes engage, My refuge and my fortress thou; Before Thee every foe must bow." R2853,c2,p3 The consolation here offered to Abraham is that offered to all who are of the faith of Abraham, and its parallel in the New Testament is that precious statement of our Lord (John 14:21,23) – "He that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him and will manifest Myself to him,...and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." So in the midst of all the temptations and trials that beset us in our earthly pilgrimage, while we walk by faith toward the blessed inheritance reserved for the overcoming saints, we also may recognize the voice of our God, saying, "Fear not: I am thy shield, and thine exceeding great reward." R1906,c1,p1 |
