David was a warrior who knew that God was his shield. But he doesn’t stand alone in his belief. Author Jack Canfield relates the story of Corporal William Devers, a Marine during WWII. Though a staunch agnostic, Devers accepted a Bible from a wounded chaplain. Within the hour, Devers’ squad was ambushed by a Japanese patrol. An enemy bullet struck him down, and as he faded into darkness, Devers gasped a prayer to God.
Then David spoke to the Lord the words of this song, on the day when the Lord had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. And he said: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies (2 Samuel 22:1-4, NKJV).
But he didn’t die, nor did he find any blood from his chest wound. All Devers found was the Bible the chaplain had given him—with a bullet lodged in it. The bullet penetrated only as far as the Psalms, where it read, “A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.” God is truly our refuge and shield.
The content of this article comes from “The Warrior’s Bible” (2014) and is copyrighted by Life Publishers International. Used with permission.
