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December 4, 2012 -- Issue #39 - Volume 13

Today's article is listed, below.  

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Make ornaments of faith this Christmas!
Chrismon Snowflake Ornaments

How's God a Sun and a Shield?

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11). NKJV

It was a bright, sunny day at the beach, a perfect day to relax and read. But the glare of the sun was so intense my sunglasses weren’t enough to block the powerful rays. As I shielded my eyes from the sun, Psalm 84:11 came to mind, The Lord God is a sun and a shield—such a beautiful promise for God’s children! 

I wondered, how could God be a sun and a shield? It seemed incompatible. As I thought about it, I realized the Psalmist gives us a clue into the meaning from the second part of the verse, The Lord will give grace and glory. . . 

The earth's sun brings light and life to the world. Likewise, God brings light and life to those who trust in him. He is a holy God, pure, faultless, and without sin. In Scripture, God’s glory-presence is often depicted in light and fire and associated with God’s judgment. 

For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God (Deut. 4:24). 

Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies. . .In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up,
and his fire will consume them (Ps. 21:8-9)

God is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29).

God used a fiery torch when he made a covenant with Abraham (Gen. 15:17). He also showed himself to Moses from a burning bush and instructed him to take off his sandals, because he was standing on holy ground (Ex. 3:2-5).

When God rescued the Jewish nation, Moses received the law from atop a fiery mountain (Ex 19:16ff). While on the mountain, God concealed his glory in a cloud. When Moses asked to see God's glory, the Lord said, "You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live" (Ex. 33:20). But what did God do? He . . .

Get the rest of today's devotional in our Bible Talks & Devotionals for Older Teens & Adults page at:
http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/lessons-Bible-teen-adult-study.html 

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