The Shield of Faith
Today’s Verse:
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. ~Proverbs 30:5
During the hot summer months, most people know that extended time in the sun can put them at risk of skin cancer. Sunscreen is a protective lotion that can be applied to the parts of the body that will be exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. The stronger the SPF, the greater the protection. Thus, sunscreen serves as a shield from the damaging effects of exposure to the sun. We see another shield this morning that is extremely necessary for our lives, and that is the shield of faith.
We see the concept.
Shields are an important piece of armor. Shields are weapons of defense. They are essential to provide protection in battle. There are two kinds of attacks. There is a long-range attack, where projectile weapons can be shot or hurled. Then, there is a short-range attack, where the combatants are up close to each other. Shields help protect from injury by arrow, spear, sword, and lance. It can absorb, deflect, or defend. Without a shield, a combatant has a high risk of being injured or killed. In the Christian life and spiritual warfare, we must have the shield of faith for our defense.
We see the consistence.
A Roman shield had four corners and was generally the size of a man of normal height. It was thick enough to absorb arrows and the blunt force of a sword or spear. The combatant had to train and practice holding the shield so that he could endure long periods of combat. It was made to last through many battles. The shield of faith must be strong and thick. This comes from long periods of time in prayer and the Word of God. Faith is added to and built up when the increments of holy virtue are added to it. It is developed and strengthened as we walk by faith in God’s Word.
We see the covering.
A shield is a protection that covers the entire person. The shield of faith must be applied to protect every aspect of our spiritual life. We need it to cover us from the fiery arrows of Satan. Satan’s quiver contains different arrows that attack us from all angles. We need protection from the arrows of lust, pride, indiscretion, envy, jealousy, anger, bitterness, wrath, malice, criticism, being judgmental, unbelief, unforgiveness, prayerlessness, and indifference. We need God’s protection for our marriages, raising our children, and serving other people. When we are hit by a fiery arrow, we can be spiritually paralyzed, bleed out, lose our feeling, and be rendered ineffective. We cannot start a day or engage in spiritual battle without this shield.
We see the confidence.
It is the shield of faith. Our faith is in the Lord. We must believe that God is! We must believe that He is all-powerful, that He is sovereign and never out of control, that He is merciful and gracious, that He is for us and not against us, and that He “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Faith is believing that God is! Faith is how we develop confidence in the Lord. God’s Word builds us up in faith. Our prayers become mighty, potent, and effectual. The faith of Elijah protected him from Jezebel, but it also believed that God could send fire and rain from Heaven. The faith of David believed that a giant could be taken down with one stone from his sling. The faith of Daniel stopped the mouths of hungry lions. Every major victory in the Bible was a victory that was possible because of faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Without faith, we have no shield and a weakened defense.
Make sure you are carrying the shield of faith today and that you use it properly.
Have a shielded God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Isaiah 9-12