God: Our Sun, Shield, and Source of Grace

 

Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound truths of Psalm 84:11, which declares, "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." This passage encapsulates the essence of God's character and the transformative journey He invites us to embark upon.

God, in His infinite wisdom and grace, is both a sun and a shield to us. As a sun, He illuminates our path, banishing darkness and guiding us with His light. He is the source of all light, providing direction, growth, and sustenance. The sun's daily rise is a testament to God's faithfulness and a reminder of His promise to renew us each day.

As a shield, God offers us protection, shelter, and identity. He defends us against the enemy's attacks, advancing His kingdom through us. The shield also signifies belonging, as it was often a symbol of one's allegiance in ancient times. In God, we find our true identity and the assurance that we are His beloved children.

The Lord bestows favor and honor upon us, not because of our merit, but because of His grace. This grace is a gift, freely given through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. It is by grace that we are saved, and it is by grace that we are presented as blameless before God.

Our walk with God is one of obedience and trust. It is not about achieving perfection on our own but about walking in the righteousness that Christ has bestowed upon us. As we walk with God, we are called to grow and mature in our faith, moving from dependence to a place where we can nurture others in their spiritual journey.

The sermon concluded with a call to action, inviting us to respond to God's word by seeking a sunrise in our lives, embracing God as our shield, and surrendering to His will. We were encouraged to live consumed by Jesus, allowing His light to shine through us and to push back the darkness in our world.

Key Takeaways:

- God, as our sun, provides more than just physical light; He offers spiritual illumination that guides us through life's journey. His consistent rising each morning is a symbol of His unwavering faithfulness and a daily invitation to walk in His light. [17:33]

- The shield is not only a defensive weapon but also a tool for advancement. As God's shield protects us, it also empowers us to move forward in our spiritual battles, advancing His kingdom on earth. Our identity in Christ is our ultimate shield, reflecting who we belong to and the protection we have in Him. [27:44]

- Grace is the unmerited favor of God that we receive through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not based on our works but on His love and sacrifice. This grace is the foundation of our relationship with God and the source of our strength and hope. [32:51]

- Walking blamelessly before God does not imply perfection but a life of obedience and trust in Him. It is about aligning our lives with God's will and living out the righteousness that Christ has imparted to us. Our blamelessness is a gift from God, made possible through Jesus' atoning work. [34:10]

- Our response to God's grace should be one of surrender and worship. By acknowledging our need for a sunrise in our lives, we admit our dependence on God's light to dispel the darkness we face. In seeking God as our shield, we recognize His power to protect and lead us through life's challenges. [45:28]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 84:11 - "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless."
2. Genesis 1:1-3 - "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."
3. Ephesians 6:16 - "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the two metaphors used to describe God in Psalm 84:11, and what do they signify about His character?
2. According to Genesis 1:1-3, what was the first act of creation, and how does it relate to the concept of God being a "sun"?
3. In Ephesians 6:16, what is the purpose of the "shield of faith," and how does it protect believers from the enemy's attacks?
4. How does the sermon describe the significance of God being both a sun and a shield in our daily lives? [11:43]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for God to be a "sun" in the context of spiritual illumination and guidance? How does this metaphor help us understand His role in our lives? [17:33]
2. How does the concept of God as a "shield" provide both protection and a sense of identity for believers? What are some practical ways this protection manifests in our lives? [26:17]
3. The sermon mentions that grace is the unmerited favor of God. How does this understanding of grace impact our relationship with God and our daily walk with Him? [32:51]
4. What does it mean to walk blamelessly before God, and how does this align with the idea of living a life of obedience and trust in Him? [34:10]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's light guiding you through a difficult situation. How did this experience strengthen your faith, and how can you seek His light in your current circumstances? [17:33]
2. In what areas of your life do you need God's protection as a shield? Identify specific challenges or attacks you are facing and discuss how you can rely on God's protection and advance His kingdom despite these challenges. [26:17]
3. Grace is a central theme in the sermon. How can you better embrace God's grace in your life, especially in areas where you feel unworthy or burdened by guilt and shame? [32:51]
4. The sermon calls us to respond to God's word by seeking a sunrise in our lives. What specific steps can you take this week to embrace God's light and allow it to dispel the darkness you face? [45:28]
5. How can you live out the righteousness that Christ has bestowed upon you in your daily walk? Identify one area where you can practice greater obedience and trust in God this week. [34:10]
6. The sermon encourages us to be consumed by Jesus and allow His light to shine through us. What practical actions can you take to let Jesus' light shine in your interactions with others, especially in challenging situations? [24:14]
7. Reflect on the idea of God bestowing favor and honor upon us. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and worship in response to His grace and blessings in your life? [32:51]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Divine Illumination
God is not only the creator of the physical light that governs the day but also the source of spiritual illumination that lights up the path of life. This divine light provides clarity, direction, and the warmth of His presence. It is a constant, much like the sun's daily rise, reminding believers of God's unwavering faithfulness. Each morning, as the sun ascends, it is an invitation to walk anew in His light, to see the world through the lens of His love and truth, and to let go of the darkness that once defined one's existence. This light is not just for personal guidance but also for shining forth into the lives of others, dispelling shadows and bringing hope.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules." (Psalm 119:105-106 ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively seek God's illumination in areas of your life that feel shrouded in uncertainty today? [07:40]

Day 2: The Shield of Identity and Advancement
The metaphor of God as a shield encompasses both protection and identity. In ancient times, a shield was not only used to defend but also bore the insignia of one's allegiance. Similarly, God's protection over His people is comprehensive, safeguarding them from spiritual assaults and providing a sense of belonging and identity in Christ. This shield is not passive; it empowers believers to advance God's kingdom, to be active participants in the spiritual battles they face. It is a reminder that one's identity in Christ is the ultimate defense, reflecting who they belong to and the protection they have in Him.

"But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head." (Psalm 3:3 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you live out your identity in Christ as a shield against the challenges you encounter? [27:44]

Day 3: The Gift of Grace
Grace is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, the unmerited favor that is bestowed upon believers through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not earned by deeds or merit but is a gift from a loving God, who sent His Son to make the ultimate sacrifice. This grace is the bedrock of hope and strength, allowing believers to stand blameless before God. It transforms the relationship with the Divine, moving it from one of striving to one of receiving, from a transactional exchange to a loving embrace.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8 ESV)

Reflection: How can you practice extending grace to yourself or others in a way that reflects God's unconditional love? [32:51]

Day 4: Walking in Righteous Obedience
Walking blamelessly before God is a journey of obedience and trust, not a state of perfection achieved by human effort. It is about aligning one's life with God's will and living out the righteousness imparted by Christ. This walk is characterized by a transformation that occurs through the atoning work of Jesus, allowing believers to grow in faith and maturity. It is a daily commitment to follow God's lead, to trust in His direction, and to embody the righteousness that has been gifted to them.

"Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!" (Psalm 119:1 ESV)

Reflection: What is one step you can take today to align more closely with God's will and walk in the righteousness He provides? [34:10]

Day 5: Surrender and Worship in Response to Grace
Responding to God's grace involves a posture of surrender and worship. It is recognizing the need for God's light to dispel the darkness and acknowledging His power to protect and lead through life's challenges. This response is an act of worship, a declaration of dependence on God's grace, and a commitment to let His light shine through one's life. It is about living a life that is consumed by Jesus, allowing His love to radiate and push back the darkness in the world.

"Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." (Psalm 50:14-15 ESV)

Reflection: What does surrendering to God's will look like for you in a practical sense, and how can you take a step towards that surrender today? [45:28]

Quotes

1) "The sun is the source of all light... it's the Sun that literally banishes the darkness... the sun brings light to everywhere... the sun is also there to guide us and direct us... the sun would provide the opportunity for us to grow." [17:33] (Download | Download cropped video)

2) "The shield... was used to advance... with the shield we can still advance our position... if God is a shield he is my protection but he is also calling me to advance the kingdom." [26:17] (Download | )

3) "The shield was also an identity that you could carry and wear... a shield was also a demonstration of who you are, who you belong to... it was given to you because you belong to these people." [27:44] (Download | )

4) "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us... it's not me being good enough for God, God demonstrates his own love for us in this." [35:40] (Download | )

5) "No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless... it's about me walking with him... learn my words, live my ways, Love Like Me, receive his grace, live in response and adoration for him." [34:10] (Download | )

6) "The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless... we're presented before God as holy, without blemish, and free from accusation." [32:10] (Download | Download cropped video)

7) "The enemy is shooting flaming arrows at you... the protection of others, highlighting my blind spots, calling out for people to pray for us... it's a genuine ask, Will you pray for us in protection." [31:26] (Download | )

8) "The Lord bestows Grace upon you and Glory... I'm a Child of God because of Jesus, that's honor and Glory... it's his grace, his grace is sufficient for me." [32:51] (Download | Download cropped video)

9) "Every day that's why we raise a Hallelujah every day... if I choose to praise him yet still I will praise him in the middle of the storm... it quite literally brings a sunrise to your soul." [24:14] (Download | )

10) "You have got to get to a point in following Jesus where you do not need a program... you've got to get to a point of Walking With Jesus where your walk with Jesus is not hindered because there isn't a study for you to attend." [39:20] (Download | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?