Daily Devotion

July 5, 2006

Psalms 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

The earthly pilgrim is in dire need of the light of the sun that he might see his way. Without it, he would be groping in the dark and cold would also overtake him. A shield to ward off dangerous enemies is also imperative. Without it, he would be at the mercy of would-be assassins. A sun for light and warmth, a shield for protection, such is the Lord for the spiritual pilgrim on his journey to New Jerusalem. His way through the world is spiritually dark, cold and unfriendly. He needs the ‘sun’ of God to show him the way and to keep him warm. He needs God’s shield of protection to “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Eph 6:16), to protect him against his “adversary the devil” who “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1Pe 5:8)

Is the way hard, long and strenuous? Are you weary in your pilgrimage? In your longing and yearning do you dream of the day when you will be home in the safe haven of the spiritual home of your soul? Beloved pilgrim, remember these words God gave to the great pilgrim of all times, the apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” 2Co 12:9. The grace He gives to strengthen your failing soul glorifies His Name.

Your pilgrimage to New Jerusalem may require denying of your soul (Mat 16:24); it may leave you uncertain of shelter (Mat 8:20); it may lead into combat with the ungodly (Heb 11:34), and even in mortal danger; but may you always remember the promise He gave to all the pilgrims en route to their Heavenly Home, “no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”

Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Patrick Lumbroso
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