"You bless those who obey you, Lord; your love protects them like a shield." 

Obedience is something that does not always come easily to most of us. It is easy to obey when the obedience gains us pleasure, but when the obedience demands a hardship or forfeiture on our part it becomes so much more difficult. But obedience to God's Word is exactly what is expected of us as believers. We so desperately want God to hear our pleas for help in our wicked world and he promises to. This Psalm is so appropriate for 2016! We live in a fallen world where evil has always flourished, but we serve a God who hates it so very much! We can rest assured that our God is providing for our safety as we rejoice in his overwhelming LOVE! A shield ... I love that picture and plan to visualize my God in that way each day.

"Lord of our Lives, we live in such a sinful world. We rest in the promise that you are our shield and you promise to hear our pleas. We thank you and praise you for your constant love and care."

Karen E. Lawson, Four Oaks, N.C.