The Shields of the Earth

The Shields of the Earth
Psalm 47:9
Ascension of our Lord
May 30, 2019

Forty days after the resurrection we celebrate the Day of Ascension. The day in which Jesus ascends into heaven. But why celebrate that day? Would it not be an abandonment day in which Jesus leaves His disciples and humanity to struggle without Him? No, notice what Jesus does for the disciples in our Gospel reading:

Jesus opened their minds to understand the scriptures. Many people have read the Bible from cover to cover and do not believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Opening their minds is a beautiful gift of faith.

Jesus also sends them as witnesses to the things that had happened, while Jesus was with them.

Jesus also tell them to stay in the city until they are clothed with power from on high. It is like the disciples are soon going to be some sort of super hero. That day will be Pentecost, in 10 days, more about that in 2 Sundays, but there is also a connection of this power for today.

Let me add what the Psalm of the day notes, even though the Psalmist was hundred of years before Christ was born, the Psalmist wrote:

Psalm 47:5(ESV) 5 God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

And

Psalm 47:8(ESV) 8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.

As the Creed we will say ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.

The Questions is this day abandonment day.

First of all we need to realize that God does what He says.

Matthew 28:20(ESV) 20 And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

That God can be in 2 or more places at the same time, even while we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, His true Body and Blood given and shed for you.

But it is the last line of the Psalm to which I want to focus on:

Psalm 47:9(ESV) 9 For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted!

The Shields of the earth: that which protects the earth. Christ didn’t abandoned us, but is still preserving us. Ever since the creation, God is caring for the earth and for us.

The shields of the earth may also include people like law enforcement and military, as God uses the government to provide peace and security for the people. Like the fictional character of Captain America, protecting the people with his special abilities and invincible shield. But Christ really does use good government as a shield.

Augsburg Confession [1] Concerning public order and secular government it is taught that all political authority, orderly government, laws, and good order in the world are created and instituted by God. [2] and that Christians may without sin exercise political authority; be princes and judges; pass sentences and administer justice according to imperial and other existing laws; punish evildoers with the sword; wage just wars; serve as soldiers;

The shields of the earth may also include

Psalm 84:9(ESV) 9 Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed!

Wow the Psalmist points us to Christ, the anointed, the messiah

Also wherever Christ’s word is read, proclaimed, attached to water, bread and wine. Whereas the alb isn’t as colorful as the comic superheroes, but instead points back to Christ, who is the one who protects us through His Word and Sacrament. For Christ is our strength.

Ephesians 6:10–17(ESV) 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Has Christ abandon us, no, Christ has and continues to deliver and protect us.

Psalm 18:2–3(ESV) 2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

In His Holy Name Amen.