I find it very interesting to study God's Word.  One of my favorite things to do is to look at a passage and understand it better by looking at the meaning of the words used in that passage.  For example, I was reading Psalm 3:3 this morning and light bulbs went off in my mind.  Look for yourself:

But you are a shield around me, O Lord;

you bestow glory on me and lift^b up my head.

^b Or Lord, / my Glorious One, who lifts me up

The Holy Bible  : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

We can tell from the structure of this sentence, that "you" is referring to God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.  It would not take one long to use a concordance to discover that God and who God is has thousands of scriptureal references.  Of course the whole Bible is about God.  However in this verse, "You are" indicates that God is very much in the present.  He is in the here and now and therefore very aware of the circumstances of my life.  He is active.  He is alive. The next phrase, "a shield" refers to the fact that God is protector.  By its very definition, shield refers to one that protects or defends.  Just yesterday I saw on the History Channel a segment about the shields that the early Roman soldiers used and how they used them in battle.  As long as the shields were in place, the battles were won and the enemies were defeated.  I have never been in combat per say, but I know I have had my share of battles.  Battles with self, with others, with callings, and with obedience.  It is good to know that even before battle begins, my shield is present.  Nothing can penetrate this shield because I am aware of the omnipotence of God.  God is not just a shield, He is my shield!  The next couple of words in this passage indicate so!  God is a shield around me.  This reminds me of the omnipresence of God.  God is all around me.  He knows what is sneaking up on me at the same time He knows what is in front of me and what is to my left and right. He knows me so well, that He is aware of my surroundings.  Do you find that amazing?  I am blown away to know that my God loves me that much that His shield is around me!  What happens as His shield is around me?  He bestows glory on me!  How does He do that?  Outside the fact that He is God and He can do anything He wants, He bestows glory on me because I am His since I was bought and paid for by the redeeming blood of His Son.  For that reason, I am not able to lift my head, but He is able to lift my head.  What a beautiful reminder of the power that God can have in our lives if we allow Him to do so!  Are you allowing God to be your shield, to bestow glory on you, and to lift your head up?  I hope so!  If not, though, whatcha waitin' on?