Shielded

A self-confident young man became a humble older man who sang the mercy of God in the latter years of his life. What changed? That alone is worth pondering. I suspect it was his colossal failure. I speak, of course, of the apostle named Peter, who didn’t seem concerned with his legacy as he detailed the events of his life to the penman named Mark. Peter, like you and me, was marked by moments of profound faith while also exhibiting moments of not "getting it.” But what we notice as we trace the trajectory of his life is what first comes out of his mouth as an older, seasoned man of faith most likely in his sixties. Here are the words to which I return every new year: Praise be to the God and Father of our LJ Christ. In his great mercy, he has given us new birth (think “do-over”) into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead; and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

My most recent readings through this first of Peter’s two letters led to focusing on a different phrase. I am captivated by the words, who through faith are shielded by God’s power…. Shielded. Turn that word over in your mind. Sit with it. It is a powerful image. Can you think of a time when someone shielded you from danger? Can you recall a movie scene where someone steps in to save people from danger, perhaps even at the cost of their own life?

When I was in 7th grade, I liked a girl named Gail. She had broken up with an older boy and he didn’t take kindly to my stepping into the gap. In fact, he threatened to beat me up. He said he’d be looking for me at the football game on Friday night. And that is exactly what transpired. But I had played a trump card. I had a brother four years older who never saw a fight he didn’t like. He seemed fearless to me and he told me not to worry. Is that possible? Well, that Friday night as I came through the gate and rounded the corner, there was the bully and he began walking toward me, his menacing eyes locked on me. It seemed like out of nowhere my brother appeared, stepping in between, his finger now driving into the chest of my rival, making it clear that he would regret any further contact with me. I stood behind my brother feeling protected and shielded from the threat, strengthened by what was now between me and my enemy. And just like that, it was over. It seemed like both the bully and my brother disappeared and I was left feeling a deep sense of peace.

Is peace what Peter wants his readers to know as he communicates that we are shielded by the power of someone much bigger than us?

Karla is fond of saying that whatever comes into our lives first comes through Jesus. It is as if the trouble or difficulty or fiery dart designed to destroy first goes through Jesus so that when it does arrive, while still likely painful and scary, it cannot destroy us. Jesus has taken the hit first, shielding us from any destruction. That sends my mind to Isaiah 53 where we read that Jesus took up our pain, bore our suffering and in doing so, brought us peace. We think of course of our sin when we read these prophetic words about the Suffering Servant. But I think he bore, bears more than our sin, no less of course. But he bears our wounds and our weakness and the attacks of the enemy all of which threaten our destruction. These poisoned arrows either never reach us or lose a great deal of their potency by the time they make it to us.

Looking up the word “shielded” or “guarded”, as some versions translate it. It carries a military idea of being guarded with a keen eyes, on high alert, as well as a strong sense of protection. By these words of Peter's, we are reminded that we are not alone. We are never alone. If there is something sin and suffering seek to do, it is to isolate us, to convince us we are on our own, which becomes the seedbed for our foolish efforts to protect ourselves. But Jesus is there. The Father is shielding us. Faith is required, says Peter.

And then there is this. Asked his thoughts about this notion of being shielded, a friend said to me that he his mind goes to blame and shame and accusation. I resonated. And my mind traveled to two references in the Bible, one in the OT and one in the New. The OT story is found in Zech 3 where the high priest named Joshua is being accused by Satan. I suspect the accusations are true, minimally filled with half-truth. Joshua says nothing. What can he say given he is dressed in filthy garments, representing his unrighteousness. Like him, we too have no defense. I am stopped by the next phrase, words of the Lord God spoken to Satan (v2): Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire? Are we not also the same burning stick? Snatched by God through faith in Jesus from the fiery attacks of the enemy? Joshua is then redressed by the angel of the Lord with clean clothes, his sins take away. Oh, the mercy of our good God, for who could stand? And the more we recognize this truth the more we join Peter in singing, Praise be to our God and Father for in his great mercy we are giving new birth into a living hope... shielded until the day that our full salvation arrives.

The NT reference needs little commentary, only that Satan is the great accuser of God’s people (Rev 12), accusing us repeatedly, only to be met with the knowing smile of a God who will soon eliminate the threat for all time. Story has it that some seminary guys used to sneak into the gym for some late night pickup games. One night, the janitor, who provided access, was seen reading his Bible. One of the students came over during a break and saw that the janitor was reading Revelation. Asked if it made any sense, the janitor replied, “Oh yes. God wins!” Yes He does and we with Him. The Accuser will soon be defeated. I will be glad when that day arrives. Until then, call to mind this great truth that we are being shielded by God’s power. No matter the intensity of the suffering, know that God only allows what He can use for our maturation, and that we are truly not alone in it. Be at peace, as is humanly possible.

Let me end with these words of hope from the God of hope to a people who, like us, knew suffering. As God seeks to comfort his people we read these words from the pen of Isaiah: No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord (54:17)

Nothing to prove, nothing to lose.