Today’s Chapter: Psalm 3

Today’s verse: Psalm 3:3

But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. KJV

In the game of cricket a batsman/bats woman needs to gear up with a number of implements for protection. The list of gears includes: batting pads, batting gloves, thigh guard, inner thigh guard, abdomen guard (box/cup) and a helmet.

Additionally, you will need your bat, footwear, an ample supply of sunscreen, quick legs to run and decisiveness to prevent you from getting ‘out’ by the opposing team.

That’s just for a batswoman! If you are a wicket keeper you’ll need: chest guards, arm guards and mouth guards.

As you already may have noticed cricket players need to protect themselves in order to prevent injury while enjoying cricket.

The same principle applies to a marriage. In order to enjoy our marriages we have to gear up. We can’t go on the pitch without proper protection, to enjoy it we need to be shielded.

You may certainly understand the analogy of a spin bowler hurling balls at you in your marriage.

You may experience balls in many forms, shapes and sizes being hurled at your marriage’s wickets with speeds up to 45 miles per hour.

These may include:

· Financial difficulties

· Stress

· Busy schedules

· Balancing work and home,

· Childrearing

· Intimacy issues

Your aim is not just to keep batting and running but to work with your spouse as a team and protect each other and your marriage.

The good thing about protecting your marriage is that you don’t have to spend a huge sum of money at a local sports store to get your gears. Instead, you just need to spend time in the word-the Bible and allow God to be your shield.

Lord, how are they increased that trouble me? Increasing financial difficulties

Many are they that rise up against me. Rising stress levels in the relationship

Many there be which say of my soul, there is no help for him [her/them] in God. The nay-sayers who have no faith in your marriage.

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; all the gears you will ever need

my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. Victory for your team/marriage

To win a game of cricket you have to work with your partner. You have to stand ready and position yourself to protect your wicket while trying to bat each ball. The balls will continue to come until the game is over or until you are out whichever happens first.

To endure to the end of the game you will need to claim God’s protection upon your marriage and cry unto Him with your voice.

He will hear you, He will answer you and He will give you peace of mind even while you sleep. He’ll be your shield and protector during your waking moments. It is He that sustains you and your marriage.

Gear up today!

Claim Him as your Protector! Claim Him as your Sustainer!

Claim Him as your shield!

As you claim Him as your shield, join the Brooklyn Tabernacle choir while you listen to Psalm 3.