Shield Yourself!

What is a Shield and why do we need one? We know that it protects us from all sorts of things. We know that this type of protection is usually worn on the arm so it can be easily moved about to protect our body or face.

In the Old Testament we know it is used as a term for God’s protection. For instance, in a vision God spoke to Abram and said, “…I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” And in II Samuel 22:3 David said,

“The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior; thou savest me from violence.”

Again in Psalms 3:3 David said, “…O Lord, art a shield for me;…” This was his prayer in time of trouble. And another place in Psalms it says, His (God’s) truth shall be thy shield and buckler (Ps. 91:4).

Now, what is a Shield of Faith? Proverbs 30:5 says,

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”

That’s what a Shield of Faith is. You are wrapping your trust in God all around yourself. It is the faith you have in God to keep you safe, no matter what the circumstances.

The Bible says faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. The Living Bible says it this way,

“What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.” (Heb. 11:1)

We acquire this faith by listening to the Word of God. We must be grounded in God’s Word to be able to walk in faith. The word shield is only in the New Testament one time. We are going there now, and while we are there let’s look at the whole armour God tells us to wear. Ephesians 6:13-17,

13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

(The girdle goes around the middle of the body to protect the vital organs.)

(A breastplate is made of metal and covers the breast as defensive armour.)

15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

(Brazen boots had brass coverings for the legs above the foot part of the boot.)

16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

(Finally, the shield of faith which protects from rocks, swords, or as the scripture says, darts. Darts were missiles, spears or arrows, which were used at that time in history.)

17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

(The helmet of salvation is a protective covering for the head. However, if you have not repented and asked Jesus into your heart, then you have no helmet of salvation.)

What do you and I need to be shielded from in the twenty-first century, the day in which we live? Well, Satan, the devil is still as active as he was in the time of the writing of the Bible. He is still your adversary trying to devour you. You and I need to be shielded from the many temptations in the world of today.

I guess I could sum it up by saying we need to be shielded from anything that is not pleasing to God. We need to keep our shield of faith up to live righteous before our Lord.

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