AC 1787, 1788 - A Shield

AC 1787, 1788

Fear not, Abram, I am a shield to thee.
(Genesis 15:1)

These words, namely, that Jehovah is a shield,
and that He is an exceeding great reward,
are words of consolation after temptations.
Every temptation is attended with some kind of despair
(otherwise it is not a temptation),
and therefore consolation follows.
He who is tempted is brought into anxieties,
which induce a state of despair as to what the end is to be.
The very combat of temptation is nothing else.
He who is sure of victory is not in anxiety,
and therefore is not in temptation.

That a "shield" means protection against evils and falsities,
which is trusted in, is evident without explanation;
for from common usage
the expression has become familiar
that Jehovah is a shield and a buckler.
But what is specifically signified by "a shield,"
may be seen from the Word,
in that as regards the Lord it signifies protection,
and as regards man, trust in the Lord's protection.