THE SHIELD OF FAITH AND GOD'S WORD

I have been spending a great deal of time lately contemplating the Armor of God from Ephesians 6. I think it is something that Christians truly need to gain a deeper understanding of in light of the circumstances we find ourselves in today. As we strive to understand just what each piece of armor is, and the purpose it serves, I want to make it clear that the “Armor” is not just metaphorical….it is real, and it is necessary in our walk as Christians. In particular, the Shield Of Faith takes on a whole new meaning in terms of its power and use for us right now.

IN ADDITION TO ALL THIS, TAKE UP THE SHIELD OF FAITH, WITH WHICH YOU CAN EXTINGUISH ALL THE FLAMING ARROWS OF THE EVIL ONE. Ephesians 6:17

All around us, the arrows are flying. They come in many varieties, but here are a few to contemplate. Fear is one of the strongest. Feeling alone and overwhelmed. What is happening….am I safe….I don’t understand this and I feel afraid. Doubt creeps in also. Will I survive this ? I am sick, I am out of money, I lost my job. As a Christian you might begin to wonder exactly where God is ? Are you hearing my prayers, are you in control of my life, are you there ? Unbelief tries to gain a foothold and convince you that maybe you have been wrong about God. Does He truly exist? Is the Bible really just made up stories like some say? Am I really just on my own, and when my life is over, is this all there was and nothing more? Just WHO IS GOD ANYWAY ? Lets see what His Word says, shall we :)

GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH, AN EVER-PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE . THEREFORE WE WILL NOT FEAR, THOUGH THE EARTH GIVE WAY AND THE MOUNTAINS FALL INTO THE HEART OF THE SEA, THOUGH ITS WATERS ROAR AND FOAM AND THE MOUNTAINS QUAKE WITH THEIR SURGING. THERE IS A RIVER WHOSE STREAMS MAKE GLAD THE CITY OF GOD, THE HOLY PLACE WHERE THE MOST HIGH DWELLS. GOD IS WITHIN HER, SHE WILL NOT FALL; GOD WILL HELP HER AT THE BREAK OF DAY. NATIONS ARE IN UPROAR, KINGDOMS FALL; HE LIFTS HIS VOICE, THE EARTH MELTS. THE LORD ALMIGHTY IS WITH US; THE GOD OF JACOB IS OUR FORTRESS. COME AND SEE WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE, THE DESOLATIONS HE HAS BROUGHT ON THE EARTH, HE MAKES WARS CEASE TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. HE BREAKS THE BOW AND SHATTERS THE SPEAR; HE BURNS THE SHIELDS WITH FIRE. HE SAYS “ BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD; I WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE NATIONS, I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH.” THE LORD ALMIGHTY IS WITH US; THE GOD OF JACOB IS OUR FORTRESS. Psalm 46

The amazing thing about God is that He has given us as believers everything we need to overcome the arrows that are continually flying about. The arrows come in many types and sizes, but God clearly knows them all, and He is ready to step into your life and circumstances to deflect them. Do you know Him ? Will you let Him ? The first step is to have relationship with Him. That relationship begins with the recognition that your life needs a change, and it starts with you, and the realization that you are dead in sin and sinful ways. The incredible news is that Jesus asks you to let Him take that all on for you. His crucifixion, death, and resurrection gives you life and hope once you acknowledge Him and ask Him to be your Savior and Lord. Then you begin with repentance. You change your thinking, your actions, and your very being because you love Him and trust Him. You want to be like Him. Abiding in Him and He in You. And behold, His Kingdom opens up to you, and you are living in it. It surrounds you, alive, in everything you do and the very depth of who you are.

FOR WHO IS GOD EXCEPT THE LORD ? WHO BUT OUR GOD IS A SOLID ROCK ?GOD IS MY STRONG FORTRESS, AND HE MAKES MY WAY PERFECT. 2 Samuel 22:33

FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT JUST A LOT OF TALK; IT IS LIVING BY GOD’S POWER. 1 Corinthians 4:20

This is who God is in His Word. The ultimate reality for us at this point in time is that for most, without supernatural intervention, we can’t see God physically like Moses or the Apostles. Or hear God, like Isaiah, Daniel, or Jonah. Perhaps in a quiet voice, our thoughts, our dreams ? Yet, I do see God and hear God every day through Faith. Faith is Powerful. It keeps us connected to God, and it allows us to access His power and authority. Right now, if you are a Christian, you are on the battlefield. You may be in your infancy, you may be maturing, you may be seasoned and ready, but you will need all the Faith you can embrace to reach everything God desires for you. Picking up the Shield of Faith allows you to stand strong in God and His Word. His Word gives you the power of Truth and Righteousness and Love. He created His Armor and this Shield for all who would be His. We just need to put them on and have Faith in Him. Jesus tells us that unlike the world, full of all sorts of battlefields and arrows and challenges, His Yoke Is Light. He takes it all on, and behold, in our hand is a Shield. It too is light as we stand in it’s protection and power. As you stand in your Armor, know one thing for sure. Jesus will be right beside you :) Faith is Life/JAA

NOW ALL GLORY TO GOD, WHO IS ABLE, THROUGH HIS MIGHTY POWER AT WORK WITHIN US, TO ACCOMPLISH INFINITELY MORE THAN WE MIGHT ASK OR THINK. Ephesians 3:20