“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”- Psalm 18:30.
I love taking a scripture verse and reflecting on it by emphasizing certain portions and then interpreting: i.e.
"As for GOD, his way is perfect"
God alone is perfect. His ways alone are perfect. My dreams for myself do not measure up to God's ways and plans for me.
"As for God, his way is PERFECT"
God's ways are perfect, even when I doubt them. This leaves no room for error or for a lack of trust in him when I follow those ways. Security can be found in knowing that as I seek his will, I can rest in knowing that that will is the best place to be!
"As for God, his way is perfect, the WORD of the LORD is flawless"
I know that the Word of God is to be my strength and fortress, and my direction for walking in that "perfect way"... the Word of God is the only flawless resource for that direction.
"As for God, his way is perfect, the word of the LORD is FLAWLESS"
Just as I can find security in trusting God's will for me as I walk in his perfect way, I can trust that his Word is flawless, true, everlasting, pure, trustworthy. This gives me hope and courage as I read and believe and lean upon his promises and commit myself to following his commands!
"As for God, his way is perfect, the word of the LORD is flawless. HE is a shield for all who take refuge in him"
This God, whose ways are perfect, whose Word is flawless; HE is my shield. Seeking security in anything other than His ways, His Word, and His character will provide no security or lasting joy.
"...He is a SHIELD for all who take refuge in him"
A shield keeps you from harm. It allows you to ward off the fatal blows of the enemy; this is what my Lord is for me. Not only did my Savior act on my behalf on the cross, but he keeps the enemy from delivering that mortal wound; he keeps me from harm.
"...He is a shield for ALL who take refuge in him"
Regardless of how I feel or what I have done, the Lord IS my shield - his willingness to defend and deliver me is not dependent on anything in me! This gives me hope to approach him and cry out for protection even in the midst of sin and unbelief.
"...He is a shield for all who TAKE REFUGE in him"
In order for me to enjoy his protection, I must take refuge in his ways, word, and character. I have to actively seek him and trust in him; passivity or neglect will not allow me to hide in the shelter he provides.
"...He is a shield for all who take refuge in HIM"
Finding my security in my feelings, my health, my spiritual or social "status", my job, my plans for my life... none of those things will provide lasting "shelter" from the trials and temptations I will face. My God is a shield when I seek to find refuge in him and him alone. This promise is contingent on my passionately seeking him and trusting in him, and on seeking him first above all other things.
So what about you? How do you read the Word?
