5 – Raise That Shield
In addition to all of this, take up the shield of faith…..
In addition to all of this, take up the shield of faith…..
Ephesians 6:16
Have you noticed that our reflex action when something comes flying towards us is to raise our arm like a shield to protect our face or head from injury? It is an automatic reaction of self preservation.
Roman soldiers carried a large and heavy shield to protect themselves from the arrows that were directed at them in conflict. In order to get closer to the enemy to get a better battle position, sometimes a group of soldiers would huddle together each holding their shield above their head in tight formation with the other shields thus making a turtle-like formation. Those on the outside would use their shields to protect their bodies. A group like this was virtually impenetrable so long as they stayed in close formation and moved in unity.
In those days a favourite weapon of the enemy was an arrow that had been doused in oil and set alight. This is why Paul uses the illustration of ‘the fiery arrows of the devil’, likening the attacks of the enemy to those fiery arrows. They are deadly. Remember the enemy is out to steal, kill and destroy us (John 10:10).
Our shield is the shield of faith – an invisible but nonetheless powerful protection against the unseen attacks of Satan. In many of the Psalms, (3, 5, 18, 28, 33 and 144), David and other writers refer to the Lord being their shield and protection from their enemies. David prayed and trusted God to be his protection from his ‘flesh and blood’ enemies who were out to destroy him. Our enemies are not flesh and blood, even though it sometimes feels like they are!
How do we lift our shield of faith to protect ourselves? We remind ourselves that we are valued and loved by God; we get to know his word and what it says about us. We believe that God is for us and not against us and that he is able to protect us and bring us through whatever difficulties may come against us. Believe the word that says ‘God is a very present help in times of trouble’ Psalm 46:1, then stand firm using that promise as a shield against fear and doubt.
Our attacks may come through thoughts, through people or through our own thoughts of unworthiness or inadequacy. The trick for us is to recognise these attacks of the enemy for what they are, and to hold up that shield of faith, trusting in our loving Saviour, then we will be protected. The word of God promises that if we ‘resist the devil; he will flee from us’ James 4:7. Just keep resisting the temptation to entertain such thoughts or accusations and the enemy will slink away defeated.
Prayer: Faithful God, thank you for every provision you have made for me to fight a good fight against my enemy the devil. Help me to recognise his attacks for what they are and raise my shield of faith, trusting in you and in your word. Amen
Have you noticed that our reflex action when something comes flying towards us is to raise our arm like a shield to protect our face or head from injury? It is an automatic reaction of self preservation.
Roman soldiers carried a large and heavy shield to protect themselves from the arrows that were directed at them in conflict. In order to get closer to the enemy to get a better battle position, sometimes a group of soldiers would huddle together each holding their shield above their head in tight formation with the other shields thus making a turtle-like formation. Those on the outside would use their shields to protect their bodies. A group like this was virtually impenetrable so long as they stayed in close formation and moved in unity.
In those days a favourite weapon of the enemy was an arrow that had been doused in oil and set alight. This is why Paul uses the illustration of ‘the fiery arrows of the devil’, likening the attacks of the enemy to those fiery arrows. They are deadly. Remember the enemy is out to steal, kill and destroy us (John 10:10).
Our shield is the shield of faith – an invisible but nonetheless powerful protection against the unseen attacks of Satan. In many of the Psalms, (3, 5, 18, 28, 33 and 144), David and other writers refer to the Lord being their shield and protection from their enemies. David prayed and trusted God to be his protection from his ‘flesh and blood’ enemies who were out to destroy him. Our enemies are not flesh and blood, even though it sometimes feels like they are!
How do we lift our shield of faith to protect ourselves? We remind ourselves that we are valued and loved by God; we get to know his word and what it says about us. We believe that God is for us and not against us and that he is able to protect us and bring us through whatever difficulties may come against us. Believe the word that says ‘God is a very present help in times of trouble’ Psalm 46:1, then stand firm using that promise as a shield against fear and doubt.
Our attacks may come through thoughts, through people or through our own thoughts of unworthiness or inadequacy. The trick for us is to recognise these attacks of the enemy for what they are, and to hold up that shield of faith, trusting in our loving Saviour, then we will be protected. The word of God promises that if we ‘resist the devil; he will flee from us’ James 4:7. Just keep resisting the temptation to entertain such thoughts or accusations and the enemy will slink away defeated.
Prayer: Faithful God, thank you for every provision you have made for me to fight a good fight against my enemy the devil. Help me to recognise his attacks for what they are and raise my shield of faith, trusting in you and in your word. Amen
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