Tuesday, February 25, 2003

The Shield of Faith

The land Jesus stood on when He physically walked with us was ruled by the Roman Empire. At this juncture of human history, the Romans were the strongest power in the Meditteran area. From Spain to Israel, Rome ruled supreme over nations and city states.
One tatic the Romans had developed was highly effective. Each foot soldier carried a heavy wooden shield that was covered with leather that could be used for protection from spears, swords and arrows.
The Roman infantry was organized around the decade (10) and century (100) just like modern infantry is organized around squads, platoons, and companies. Each unit marched into battle with strict organization. When attacked the shields were used to protect not only the individual soldier, but others beside him. In essence, this tatic produced a tank on the battle field. As long as the formations remained intact, the Romans were almost unbeatable in battle.
One thing the soldier did before battle was to soak his shield in water to water-log the wood and leather. This would protect the soldier from flaming arrows fired at them.
This was just one piece of armor on the soldier to protect him in battle.
“Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (Ephisians 6:16).
Today, as Christians, we hold a shield that performs the same function. A shield that will quench, or put out, the arrows or darts of the wicked. Notice that Paul calls this shield the shield of faith. Not a shield of hope, or shield of grace or shield of love or shield of maybe it will work. In Isaiah (21.5) we read about annointing the shield. This was done by putting oil on the shield to make the arrows slide off when it hit the shield.
The question is, are you using your shield of faith? Are you letting it put out the flaming arrows or making them slide off your shield? Is your shield annointed?
But were does this shield of faith come from? What gives our shield strength? The following scriptures will answer this question:
In Genesis 15:1 “ After these things the Word of Jehovah came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I am your shield and your exceeding great reward. “
”Jehovah, the shield of your help” (Deuteronomy 33.29), “Our soul waits for Jehovah; He is our help and our shield.” (Psalm 33.20)
So, today, use your shield, just like the Romans did.