AFTER THIS THE SHIELD – Following Jesus From Edges – Devotional

After this the Shield

Pastor Calvin Cook

January 9, 2026

Why am I where I am today with my thoughts? I received a question from a reader asking how I focus these thoughts each morning and how most times they are varied. There is a long answer to the question but most recently it has just been being aware. Being aware, that God is still with us, still moving, and most importantly still speaking in a variety of ways. And taking the time to be present and set apart a time where nothing can replace that intimacy with God. I choose to do that each day in the early morning hours. Today started about 4:30AM.

My practice at night is to read scripture and pray as my last act of the night. Last night one of my selected readings in my read through the Bible in a year was from Genesis 15. This is a conversation God was having with Abram. As I read this chapter the verse that remained with me and caught my attention and focused my night time prayers was :

“After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Genesis 15:1 (NIV)

The very first words of the scripture in the NIV version are the phrase “After this”. There certainly like never before was something powerful about the phrase “After this” to me.  It reminded me that God is always speaking we just have to be willing to listen. God wasn’t speaking to Abram in a joyful moment in his life. God was speaking during a struggle that Abram was going through.  Abram had been dealing with some personal, public and faith issues. These issues mounding up brought conflict, uncertainty, and risk. He had obeyed God, stepped forward in faith, and now stood in a quiet moment where questions could easily rise. I know the feeling I have been there and still am. We live in conflict; there are thoughts that come at us from every angle. But right in the middle of it all, there is God- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  It is also in these places that God speaks and reassures us of God’s abiding love. It was there for Abram, it is there for me, and it is there for you!

But God’s first words to Abram were not instructions or corrections. They are words that bring comfort: “Do not be afraid.”  Someday we will do a deep dive into how many times through the Bible and in our lives have spoken these words appear “Do not fear or be afraid.”  Fear often follows when outcomes are unclear. We step out in faith and then wonder if we misunderstood, moved too soon, or gave too much. God meets Abram’s fear with His presence. I testify that I have found this to be true in my life, but I must be willing to surrender.

Then the next words that speak loudly — “I am your shield.”

A shield is to protect us in battle. God does not promise Abram a life without conflict, but a life covered by His faithfulness. Today, God still desires to stand between us and what threatens our peace, our calling, and our hope. He is not distant or passive; He is actively guarding our hearts and lives.

When Abram humbled himself, Abram heard God say “I am your shield and your very great reward.”

God does not say, “I will give you a reward.” “You have been a good boy, and now I am going to give you a treat.”  He says, “I am your reward.” Abram’s reward or fulfillment of God’s promises would not come from possessions, success, or even fulfilled promises, but from relationship with God Himself. The same is true for us. When life feels thin, delayed, uncertain or incomplete, God reminds us that His presence is the greatest gift we will ever receive.

Today, we are invited to stop chasing what we think will secure us and rest in the truth that God already has. God is still our shield. God is still our very great reward.

The practice of grace becomes essential to us when we allow this verse to permeate our soul. This is the truest example of grace. God meeting us where we are, how we are, and who we are. It is God showing up and doing for us that we don’t have the human capacity to do for ourselves. It is then receiving that grace and continuing a journey in a practice of the means of grace.

This is what grace meant to me through this one verse of scripture – it was stepping aside from my own focus, my own ideas, even my own external and internal struggle and allowing God’s word to permeate the inner depths of my everything and bringing me to a place of surrender through prayer.

Here is my breath prayer :

Lord be my shield, be my everything. May I be faithful and focused on you – Amen

An additional Prayer could be : Lord, thank You for meeting me in my fear and uncertainty. Help me to trust You as my protector and my provision. Teach me to rest not in outcomes or achievements, but in Your presence. Be my shield today and remind my heart that You are more than enough. Amen.

Where in your life do you need to stop striving for rewards, to make everything right for the world, in wealth, being liked and begin living in God as your reward today?