Recently, I was asked to fill in and teach a children's Bible class for eight weeks. I had been thinking about memorizing a chapter with my own kids and since Psalm 91 is 16 chapters, it seemed like a good one to learn in eight weeks.
Week by week we added two verses and something stood out to me that I never thought about the many times I've read this comforting Psalm.
Verse say His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. '' What is a rampart?'' I asked the kids. Most didn't know.
'' It's a big log or something a group of people like an army might use to tear down the gates of the enemy's stronghold, '' my ever reading, ten year old son responds.
That's a weapon of offense, not defense. I don't know about you, but I can easily picture faithfulness like a defensive shield. He provided in the past, He'll provide for our needs again. He kept me safe. He'll do it again. But, what about as an offensive weapon? A rampart to take out the gates of the enemy's stronghold?!
Listen up folks, God has called us to cross the lake to the other side. This storm has come up. Do we sink in the shield, thinking He is faithful to keep us safe-head back out of the storm! Or do we pick up the rampart? He told us to cross over to the other side. He is faithful to handle all that concerns me today. We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed. He holds victory in store for the upright. My God is faithful. Storm get out of the way! Be still and let us pass!!