The Shield of Faith

Monday, May 23 The Shield of Faith Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Ephesians 6:16 Recommended Reading Hebrews 11:1-2 Ancient and medieval soldiers went into battle with shields the size and shape of small doors, large enough to hide behind. A phalanx of soldiers could interlock their shields in front of them or over their heads to form a wall of protection against incoming missiles. The "shield of faith" is the Christian's most important defensive weapon for this reason: If faith is defined as confidence in God and His Word, then it is faith that will defeat Satan's twisting, counterfeiting, and denial of who God is and what God has said. If a lie of Satan is like a fiery arrow coming directly at the Christian, then faith becomes the shield that keeps the arrow from finding its mark. Faith is how we walk daily (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith is how we please God (Hebrews 11:6). And faith in Jesus Christ is the basis for "the life [we] now live in the flesh" (Galatians 2:20). But faith is more than belief--it is belief put into practice as the basis for a life of confidence in God. When thoughts of doubt or despair come, raise your shield of faith--faith in God and the promises of His Word. The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. George Muller Read-Thru-the-Bible Job 6:1-9:35