SHIELD OF FAITH
HAVE YOU PUT ON YOUR ARMOR TODAY?
It’s Monday! You know, I do enjoy Monday’s, maybe more now that I stay home, but it’s the beginning of a new week. A week to commit to “making a difference”. A week to stepping out in faith!
LET’S CLAIFY THIS
I would like to clarify one post response from my video on the Breastplate of Righteousness – The reply to the video was “Righteousness will save your soul, and a lifejacket will save your flesh.”
Yes. Absolutely true and thank you for sharing that.
I do try to make comparisons to the armor which would usually be things in the flesh because that is how I feel we can acknowledge and understand more how to live for Christ.
I welcome thought provoking, and morally and spiritually directed comments.
WELCOME!
If you are joining us for the first time, WELCOME!
Today I am talking about the fourth piece of armor that is discussed in the 6th chapter of Ephesians. You can visit my website, bobbiefrazier.com and click on the “blog” tab to read the other weeks of discussion about the armor of God or you can watch the videos from the weeks prior on this page.
So far we have discussed –
the Belt of Truth –claiming who I am because You, God, live within me.
The Breastplate of Righteousness – that I may be controlled by Your Spirit, God, not my own self.
And The Shoes of peace – that I may be an instrument of Your peace.
HOW DO WE STEP OUT IN FAITH?
And today – we will start the week – as I mentioned – by stepping out in faith as we take up the Shield of Faith.
I take the shield of faith because I know without faith, God, it is impossible to please You.
We can rely on prayer to guide us – and a verse from Proverbs 3:5-6
“Help me trust in You with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding but in all ways acknowledge You, knowing that You will make straight my path.”
For a Roman soldier, a shield was used as a form of protection. It was worn strapped to one’s arm and, at any time, it could be held up to deflect attacks. In addition, it could be used as an offensive weapon to knock enemies over with force.
What does it mean to have faith, and how can this be related to a shield?
Well…
Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Faith is more than just a feeling. It is a part of “being”. Of being one with God. Fully trusting Him.
To have faith is to believe God created the world and sent His only Son to die for our sins so we might have eternal life. Faith equals trust. Trust equals faith.
As Christians, the faith we have in Christ is based on reality.
Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Even though we cannot physically see God, He has manifested Himself through creation. Therefore, our faith in Him is based on this truth.
If we have faith in Christ, this will influence the way we live.
OUR FAITH CAN GUARD US
Our faith can guard us during trials in the same way a shield would during battle. For example, when doubt creeps in and our beliefs are questioned, our faith in Christ will protect us. We can stand firm in knowing what we believe. We can recall Scripture we have memorized or know where to look in the Bible for confirmation, guidance and even peace about any situation.
OUR FAITH CAN PROTECT US
In addition, our faith can protect us when we experience anxiety and fear.
Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand.”
If we have faith in God’s promises, we do not need to fear.
Do we all experience fear? YES. Is it real? YES
It is important to realize that doubt, fear and anxiety are attacks from the enemy.
Taking up the shield of faith will protect us and allow us to fight back against these attacks.
Having faith and trusting in God does not mean we will be excluded from trials, fear, anxiety, depression, along with many other emotions.
In fact, we are probably either just coming out of a trial of some kind, going through one right now, or getting ready to be thrust in the middle of one.
So, as the body of Christ, we can help each other to grow stronger in our faith by living in our community of believers, those who can help hold us up, pray for us, encourage us.
IT’S IMPORTANT TO CRY AND HUG
Phyllis Elvington reminded us this past weekend there are times we may need to have a crying fest, that’s ok. We may need a hug. Hugs are important, just like crying.
Yes, we need to be acknowledged and we need to have faith and trust in God.
BATTLE OF DUNKIRK
I have a story that has intrigued me since I heard it, now there is a movie about it. I haven’t seen the movie but have read about it and in most places, it doesn’t talk about the order from the King or the fog, but the website – BBC.com (the link to the website is on my blog this week) does explain about the fog.
This is the story of the Battle of Dunkirk which was in a booklet put out by the North Carolina, Baptist State Convention in approximately 2015.
Here is the story –
It was a very hopeless situation – In May 1940, more than 300,000 British and French soldiers huddled down in full retreat and defeat at Dunkirk. Hitler’s Blitzkrieg warfare had routed the allied armies and they found themselves facing certain annihilation or imprisonment. On one side was the shallow port of Dunkirk on the English Channel. On the other side, Hitler’s war machine with panzer tank divisions, infantry and his esteemed Luftwaffe – Hitlers Airforce. As Hitler’s armies prepared to make a final assault on Dunkirk, King George VI (6) declared a National Day of Prayer to be observed on May 26th. Churches opened their doors and prayer services were broadcast across the nation by the BBC. People united in focused prayer on behalf of the soldiers. What happened next has been aptly called the “Miracle of Dunkirk.” God moved and began answering the prayers of the English people. Hitler changed him mind (going against all advice from his officers) and ordered his tanks and infantry to hold their positions while the air force finished off the British and French troops. Then before the planes could get in the air, an intense thunderstorm followed by a dense fog covered Dunkirk and the channel. The fog set in for nine days and the channel turned very calm, which allowed small boats and naval vessels the opportunity to come ashore and rescue the soldiers. Some 335,000 troops were rescued. God moved “Suddenly”.
https://www.bbc.com/weather/features/52808043 This link shows pictures and tells the story also.
The faith that King George VI showed by declaring a National Day of Prayer and the trust the people had in God moving quickly is an example of using our shield of Faith in every situation.
So, use the shield of Faith to hold up and protect yourself from the fiery darts of the enemy and stepping out to declare who is in control in your life.
I encourage you to apply the concept of the shield of faith to your life. Remember that when we put our faith in Christ, we are unstoppable.
Thank You Lord for your continued guidance and protection. We know You, God, can turn around a tough situation that we think is impossible. Help us to see it is never a hopeless situation when we allow you to be in control. In Jesus name. Amen
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