Our Sun and Shield

The Lord God is a sun and shield; . . . no good thing does he withhold from those whose way of life is blameless.

[ PSALM 84:11 ]

Her life was slipping away. He sat quietly and simply read to her from the comforting truth of God’s Word. Then the Lord gently spoke to his heart through the promise: “No good thing does he withhold from those whose way of life is blameless” (PSALM 84:11). Reflecting later on that painful yet precious moment, George Müller (1805–1898)—understanding he was “blameless” by faith—said to himself, “If it is really good for me, my darling wife will be raised up again, sick as she is. God will restore her again. But if she is not restored again, then it would not be a good thing for me. And so my heart was at rest. I was satisfied with God.” We’ve all experienced loss, whether the passing of loved ones or the changing of the seasons. Sometimes such moments make us question God’s goodness. Yet the psalmist reminds us that “the Lord God is a sun and shield” (V. 11). As our sun, He brings life and growth to the good things He gives us; as our shield, He protects and guards us when we face heartache in this world of sad goodbyes. Through tears, Müller put his faith in the Lord to define what would be truly good during that heart-breaking season of his life. No good thing will be withheld from us today either; for “blessed is the one who trusts in [God]” to be their sun and their shield (V. 12).

CHRIS WALE

REFLECT: When has God’s goodness satisfied you in difficult seasons? How can you seek the blessings He has for you in your current situation?

PRAY: Lord God, You are my sun and my shield. I trust that You will provide what is truly good for me today.