The Shields of God

Life can be scary and dangerous, especially during the harsh and bitterly cold months of a Minnesota winter! (As I write this article it is -10°)  But, the scriptures are very clear that God is watching over us and protecting us as a loving parent protects his/her children!

The shields of the earth belong to God; reads Psalm 47:9. What are the “shields of earth” and how is God actively involved in protecting his children?

I believe that there are many ways that God protects our lives that we never see or understand, but there are at least three levels of protection that I want to share with you.

Scientists believe that the planets Jupiter and Saturn act as a shield to planet earth. Apparently, the gravitational pull of these two gigantic outer ring planets in our solar system act as gigantic vacuum cleaners sucking dangerous comets into their orbit and shielding earth from bombardment. These two planets are part of God’s intricate design of the macro universe to shield and preserve life on earth, the third rock from the sun!

The second level of God’s shields of the earth is the magnetosphere which is created by the rotation of the earth. Stunningly, the earth spins at approximately 1,000 miles per hour at the equator and travels at approximately 67,000 miles per hour around the sun!!! These figures are beyond our full comprehension, but they have a huge impact on life on planet earth. The magnetosphere creates a barrier that shields the earth from the intense and extremely dangerous rays of the sun. Without this protective shield life on planet earth would be impossible.

The third layer of protection is God’s heavenly angels. Angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit eternal life, reads Hebrews 1:14. The Bible says that angels are innumerable (Jeremiah 33:22), beyond our ability to count…like the stars in the heavens! We can’t see them, but God’s angels are everywhere, protecting and serving God’s people!

We are not supposed to pray to angels, but I think it is right and good to ask God to send some extra angels to protect our lives, our children or loved ones in times of need. As a Chaplain, I often pray with our Avinity residents that God will send extra angels to protect them and keep them from falling after an operation. Although we seldom see the direct answer to these prayers, I believe that God is sending out his angels on a daily basis as we ask and believe Him for his protection.

As a Chaplain, serving in several different Avinity locations across the Twin Cities Metro area, I drive on the freeway system over 300 miles a week. I often ask God to send his angels to protect me on the road in the midst of snow storms, rain storms, and heavy traffic. In seven years of driving on the freeways I have not had one single accident or near miss situation while driving on the roads. I believe that I have angels watching over me!

The shields of earth belong to God. The angels of God are sent out for your protection. Ask and believe God for their help and assistance in your life, and you shall receive. 

Written by Lead Chaplain David Johnston