Salvation Belongs to the LordSample

The Believer’s Shield and Glory

The people of Israel rejected David as their King. Most of David’s army mutinied. David’s own son betrayed him. Yet David affirms his confidence in God. David refuses to entertain the slanderous words of the public that there was no salvation for him in God (3:2). Rather, David addresses God by his covenantal name – Yahweh, indicating his relationship with his heavenly Father. David affirms the reality that, though he be surrounded by enemies who desired to be his executioner, God was his shield about him. None can harm the child of God with God as the shield. It is the blessed privilege of the servants of the LORD, that no weapon that is fashioned against them shall succeed, and every tongue that rises against them would be refuted in judgment (Isaiah 54:17).

David also affirms the reality that God is his glory and the lifter of his head. David had abandoned the eternal capital city of Jerusalem without a fight. The mighty warrior King who had subdued kingdoms to obedience fled for his life. The aged King wept as he retreated. He walked barefoot with his head covered (2 Samuel 15:30). David’s heroic glories were history. He now found himself in a precarious condition. However, even then, David does not give up. He does not abdicate his crown. He confesses that God alone is his glory and that he would lift his head once more. David’s confidence defies all logic. He was outnumbered and outmatched by his usurper, Absalom. He faced constant mortal danger and was in a state of disgrace. Yet David’s faith shines through the dark for he trusted God alone to be his protection and glory.

In the fourth century, Athanasius, the Bishop of Alexandria, fought against the heresy of Arianism, which claimed that Jesus was a created being in time. This heretical view enjoyed imperial political support and became the prominent theology of the church. Athanasius, who opposed Arianism, was deposed from his ecclesiastical office and exiled. Though it seemed like orthodoxy failed, Athanasius continued to fight, full of faith. It was Athanasius contra mundum – Athanasius against the world. The persecuted Athanasius confidently wrote, “Let us consider and lay to heart that while the Lord is with us, our foes can do us no hurt.” God alone was his shield and glory. Today every true church confesses the orthodox Trinitarian faith of Athanasius in the Athanasian creed!