the Journey- Shield of Faith

 Hi Sisters, Sandy here without Thursday devotional. I am excited to share the next part of the Armour of God that we have been looking at but first. I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year. This has been a very trying past year, and I for one am excited that this is the last day of the year but on the other hand, this is a day that the Lord has made, so we are to rejoice in it. In 2020, peace was the word that God used to teach and guide me in through everything. For 2021, I feel that my focus is to be on… rejoicing in the Lord.

Ok, so back to our dressing for the battlefield devotional, we are going to look at Ephesian 6:16,

“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” I admit, I got excited about this one and could probably type out 20 pages but I picked a few points that I think we need to understand.

First, what kind of shield is Paul speaking about? A Roman shield was large enough to cover the whole body; it was made of wood, covered with hide, and bound with iron at the top and bottom. When dipped in water before a battle, it could extinguish fire arrows that had been dipped in pitch and set ablaze.

The shield is so big that it covers our whole body. It is an outward protection of the Lord, all we have to do is stand behind it. It is part of our defense. It is dipped in water. What is water in the Bible? Well, isn't the Bible, God’s Word often referred to as the living water?!?! And that God’s Living Water, His Word is enough for extinguishing the fiery arrows?!?!? Do you see where my excitement is being stirred up? This is an awesome a-ha moment.

One thing that stood out to me is that all the other armour, we are to wear on our bodies but God says that “in addition” we are to take up the shield. So if we can take it up then we can also put it down. And with Faith we do the same thing, don’t we?

Let's put this together... we hold onto our faith like a shield, deliberately choosing faith in God in all situations, all doubts, all troubles, all lies, all fear….all attacks where the enemy is throwing fiery darts of doubt and disbelief in order to turn us away, lower our defense and to defeat us.

So sisters, take up your shield here and 2021 and don't put them down for anything!!!!