Psalms 35:2 “Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.”
The life of a faithful Christian is often portrayed as a blissful paradise. But, our Lord tells us to “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34) and that “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33). But, the Psalmist prayed unto the Lord to “Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.”; that is to make His presence known in the battlefields of this unpeaceful world and to defend us against the hateful enemies of peace. Four times, Moses told the Children of Israel that “The LORD shall fight for you” (Exodus 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:30;3:22;20:4); that is, He will indeed “Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for” our “help”. When Stephen was faithfully serving the Lord and declaring the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ, the enemies laid hold on him; yet, he remained faithful to the Lord. When it was clear that the enemies were going to stone him to death; the Lord “stood up for” him and comforted him; he was about to suffer miserably; “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,” (Acts 7:55). Stephen did indeed suffer the stoning and he died under the hateful blows of the adversaries, but the Lord gave him that Heavenly scene as if to say, just hold on Stephen, see what I have instore for you on the other side of the stoning. Stephen was so moved and empowered by such a magnificent scene that, as the stones were falling upon him, he was “calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:59-60). So, when the troubles of this present life lay hold upon us; remember Peter’s exhortation: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (I Peter 4:12)! And, remember the Lord’s faithful promise: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33); that is, He Mightily STANDS UP for us!