Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is flawless;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”

This verse is so basic and true as to go without saying, yet it is ignored or even actively denied by many today. The modern assault on the Bible began close to 150 years ago, specifically on the issue of its “purity,” as the Japanese expresses it, following the Hebrew. Textual criticism is on some levels a very valid thing, particularly considering not only copying mistakes by scribes but also the vagaries of translation that are often pointed out in this blog. However, that was quickly taken to the point of denying Divine authorship in the first place, which produced a backlash of slavish devotion to a particular translation, which isn’t good either. That said, there are many people who might have a reasonably correct attitude toward the Bible who still forget the second half of this verse. Life throws all sorts of junk at us, and things are much nicer with a shield to deflect it. We tend to forget that God is the shield we need! In speaking of the armor of God, Paul said that faith is a shield capable of quenching every flaming arrow the devil shoots at us. (Ephesians 6:16) Actually, faith without a foundation isn’t of much use; we have to believe truth for it to be effective. Some people have faith in faith, and that ultimately falls apart. It is when our faith is in God, so that we commit ourselves to obedient trust, that He is our shield indeed, as this verse says.

I need to remember this truth as much as anyone. As familiar as I am with Scripture, I must not take it for granted and fail to apply it. I am not to use mental tricks to avoid obedience! My faith must not be simply academic and abstract, but specific and practical. I am to teach the Word for what it is, not twisting it to make some point that God is not saying, and I must live out what I teach, lest I be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:27) When assaults come – and recently that has been with great frequency – my first response must be to call on God. Other things might be His provision, and brothers and sisters in Christ are a precious resource, but my first, foundational trust must be in Him.

Father, thank You for all You allow me to experience, even when it isn’t pleasant at the time. Thank You that I can recognize growth in myself in my responses to things, even as I also recognize that I have plenty of room for more growth. Help me trust You fully, both in the crises and in the daily irritations, letting Your Word fill me by Your Spirit so that I live it out faithfully, for the benefit of all around me and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!