You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand has supported me; your help has made me great. Psalm 18:35

God gave the psalmist power to defeat the enemy. The shield of salvation is a military symbol. Like the psalmist, Jesus was also given power to subdue his enemies. In fact, our Christ was made sovereign over all the earth. However, at the time of his arrest when someone tried to defend him with a sword, Jesus said, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?"

King Jesus did in fact defeat the enemy, but not with military might. He never called on those twelve legions of angels. Instead he turned the other cheek; he willingly went to the cross; he even forgave his tormentors and executioners. Jesus became a model for how we are to live in God's Kingdom. Non-violence is the Kingdom way. He invites us to take up our cross and follow him. We are to put our allegiance in King Jesus and not in the powers of this world. Then we too will have the victory. God, through Jesus the Christ, is also our shield of salvation.

Through the incarnation, the Kingdom broke into this world in the birth of the child, Jesus. Through his death and resurrection, the power of evil was broken, and the fullness of the Kingdom of God was made possible. During the season of Advent, we look towards that fulfillment when all mankind will live in peace under the reign of King Jesus.

Prayer:God of our strength, we look to you for the shield of our salvation. We find it so easy to simply strike out when we are threatened or harmed. It takes courage to turn the other cheek. Give us the strength to love our enemy and possibly turn him or her into a friend. May we live the non-violent life boldly. As the psalmist said so long ago, "your right hand has supported me." In the name of Jesus, our example, we pray. Amen.