If only I could adequately describe the vision of "the refuge" where "the Ache" can lead us. What form or image of defense has the King provided for those that Love His Name? The Spirit teaching us Scripture has an amazing way of devotionally pulling our hearts into that wonder if we let Him.
Here is some strong devotional advice from a seasoned Saint, known as the Scarlet Sinner: "I heard the Voice of Love singing ever so sweetly ... 'Want not My Word to find evidence that thou art right; desire not to read My Love-letter to correct thy fellow Saint or to the waylaying of the froward, hold this Song fast in your heart as the wreathed, thorned crown of our suffering Savior, who loved our souls unto death and back' ."
Meditate momentarily on the Crown - the encircled wreath of thorns ... that momentarily protecting as well as piercing the brow of the Savior. O the irony of the pain on both sides of the thorns; the former of the crown could not fashion it without a piercing, the brow could not receive without a piercing; and the image of the crown so distanced and shielded our Savior that it would be just Him and the Father to deal with the only sacrifice that could perpetually offer salvation to those who would believe.
"He that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting life; but he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life... but wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36
"Destroy Thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels: cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against Thee."
"But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them: let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee."
"For Thou, LORD. Wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt Thou compass him as with a shield." Psalm 5 :10, 11, 12.
("Thou compass him as with a shield.")The Shield - the favor, the surrounding, the wreath, the piecing, the barb, the hook, a large shield and buckler, the cold of snow, the thorn, the crown ... The blessing!! All these are wrapped in the image of His shield provided by His favor for the kids of the King.
The Shield is what allows us to fearlessly serve others in this life and serve with the full protection of eternity. However, on this side of the eternity, the shield is not seen; but the power of this Shield of Favor will be and needs to be... realized, and gratefully accepted.
The shield provides His distance in the connection between the temporal and the eternal. This is why (experienced by His Kids) ...out of nowhere comes a sense of safety, an eternal call, a humble comment, a shared brokenness, a vital conversation, a radical conversion, a spiritual blessing;
... and alternatively ... at the same time the shield can create a sense of unrest, a fearful glance, an angry outburst, a contemptuous reply, and a hurtful turn. There is pain and promise on both sides of the Shield.
Remember: This is a devotional thought and can feel a little mystical; but isn't it amazing how God's people struggle to connect with Him ... Many times it is because the imagination has been numbed by lifestyles and choice of mental stimulation. Somehow imaging the greatness and glory of our God beaming out of eternity in our favor is treated as taboo.
Children and young believers are constantly chided for thinking that God somehow personally intervenes in the affairs of humanity. What does it mean to you -- "Emanuel, God With Us" "Touched by the feelings of our infirmities." "He first loved us." ... How we see God loving us the link to our effectiveness in encouraging others of His love.
When our total being is vested fully in His love for us, it will effectively spill over into the lives of others. Imagine being loved by the God of all creation, let it thrill your heart and then share it with all that you come in contact with. The shield will protect you!
Like the Psalmist, cry out in desire for the favor of the Piercing Shield... He is with you children.
HLFA,
Jeff