The ultimate rags to riches story

As I asked the Lord what He would have me do in 2010, I sensed Him say that it is to be a year of extravagant worship. I read in a devotional today that as believers, ours is the ultimate rags to riches story. How true. These are a few things I picked up from my readings today on how blessed we are:

1. We are children of God! What a royal calling!

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." (John 1:12,13)

2. God is a shield to those who walk uprightly

"He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
For he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones." (Proverbs 2:7-8)

Herbert Lockyer says it eloquently. He describes the shield as "the most ancient and universal weapon of defense". "Shields were most necessary for use against besiegers who employed darts and stones and blazing torches to overcome the besieged. It was the means of defense between the soldier and his foe."

"Is it not blessed to know that as our Shield, God is between the enemy and ourselves, and that therefore no trial can overtake us apart from His permissive will? Behind Him as our Shield, the antagonisms of Satan, and accusations of men cannot injure us."

Prayer today: O Lord, thank you for our royal calling as children of God. And thank you that you are our Shield, to protect us from the enemy. If you are for us, who can be against us? I stand secure in your protection, your love. Help me to adore you, to worship you, to praise you, for in you, mine is the ultimate rags to riches story. In Jesus' name, Amen.