Beloved, I know and have seen all the times you gave sacrificially without any compensation…without expecting anything in return because you are secure in knowing Me as your provider. Abram, prior to this great vision noted in My Word, defeated his enemy and would not take the spoils unless it be said that King of Sodom made him rich.
Abram trusted in Me in the battle and after the battle. He rescued his family and their possessions and was given My blessing and blessed in return. He walked away from the transactions of battle with only what his men ate and the peace of being obedient. What did I do? I came to Him in a vision with promises of safety and reward…to give him the one thing he desired most…an inheritance.
There was one thing Abram needed, one thing he desired—a child. You know the story of how and when I provided. Even though it took time…so much time…I provided. Selah!
Beloved, what battles are you facing? Sometimes the daily onslaughts are more difficult to manage than the big things. After all, the little foxes destroy the vines. Know this, as surely as I was with Abram, I am with you. I am your shield and your buckler…your buffer.
I stand as a shield and buffer between you and all disrespect, indignity, unkind words, thoughts or plans from the enemy…between you and any battle of any kind. The enemy so desires to rob your peace in any given situation. He wants to distract you from the Shield that I AM. He doesn’t want you to see the pillar of fire by night or the cloud by day.
Beloved, the enemy wins when you let his thoughts and the wrong words of men…even your own harmful thoughts through the buffer that I am for you…through the shield by accepting them as your own truth. They then rob your peace. I do not want this. I want you to be at peace and rest at all times.
Know and remember, nothing with Me is ever wasted. I know you have the best intentions at heart and always plan to do better the next time…and for the most part you do. Nevertheless, mistakes happen and wrong decisions are made. Don’t listen to the enemy when these things happen and wonder how you could possibly do such when you have such good intentions. Instead, let them be wonderful opportunities for you to learn and grow.
Some things cannot be learned without struggle and opposition. Each and every time this scenario happens you have a chance to practice…to see and realize…to know that I am your Shield and Buffer. You get to choose what comes through…get to choose what you let in…get to choose whether something gets to rob your peace.
The one who has no obstacles has nothing to overcome. The one with no obstacles does not experience the beauty of knowing and seeing faith grow…nor feel the delight of victory in battle. To him who overcomes is the promise…the reward. The rewards are many, with one of them being an increased steadfastness that puts double mindedness to death.
Beloved, practice seeing Me as your shield and buckler. Choose something you struggle with and start envisioning Me standing as a shield between you and it each time, yes, every time it rears its ugly head. The more you practice the quicker you will become at conquering any weakness in your own self…your own nature. In doing so, you will conquer your propensity to believe the enemy’s lies or receive the guilt he desires for you to embrace.
Practice till you overcome and go fight another battle until doing so becomes the reality of who you are at all times. Stay close and roll all your cares onto Me and make no way for guilt or condemnation as you walk this path. The enemy wants you to fail and then wants you to fail again with guilt…. which if happens enough, keeps you from trying…and he wins.
Always keep Me as your shield at all stages in both victory and defeat. I am the same in both. In all things…I am…for you. Remember this My beloved one, I created you for battle…for freedom…for victory. I have created you to live in peace with great rest. Though you have tribulation, trials and obstacles…even though you have distress…be of good cheer for I have overcome…I have overcome for you. This makes Me a great shield and buckler who truly knows.
Yes, always remember My Beloved… being everything you need is who I am…being everything for you is what I love to do. Selah!
With Love
Abba Father
Join Me For A Time Of Reflection
1. Do you ever have trouble with speaking with sarcasm, harsh words or unkindness or speaking in any way that does not edify or build up? Confess the Lord as your Shield and declare “He has anointed my lips with kindness.” I have the thoughts and intents of His heart therefore I only speak what edifies and builds up…not what tears down.
2. Ask Holy Spirit to show you the root of what you think or hold on to such as resentment, bitterness, unforgiveness or perhaps even selfishness. Confess; break agreement with it as many times as it takes. This will strengthen your own resolve.
3. Through repeated confession, hide the Word in your heart where it can be active to divide between soul and spirit…bone and marrow to accomplish His will and your victory. When the desire comes to speak…to respond, see your Shield the Lord strong and mighty and do as Jesus did…quote the Word. For He is your shield…your buckler…your buffer and your abundant compensation.
Amplified Bible Scripture References: Psalm 14-15, Psalm 91:4, Song of Solomon 4:4, Jeremiah 43:3 and John 16:33
After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I am your] Shield, your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be exceedingly great. Genesis 15:1 (AMPC)
[Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler. Psalm 91:4 (AMPC)
Your neck is like the tower of David, built for an arsenal, whereon hang a thousand bucklers, all of them shields of warriors. Song of Solomon 4:4 (AMPC)
Put in order the buckler and shield, and advance for battle! Jeremiah 46:3 (AMPC)
Love Abba Father, Son and Holy Spirit
August 16, 2017
Devotional By Brenda Craig
Music and Voice Over by Hal Leath
