Total Protection!

I think that it is pretty cool when you consider that the shield of faith that Paul used as his inspiration for Ephesians 6:16 was designed to protect the whole body of the solder as he proceeded into battle.  It was a little over four feet high and around two feet wide.  The scripture emphatically instructs us by declaring: “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” (NKJV)  Other translations say, “all the burning arrows that come from the evil one.” (Easy Read Version), or “quench all the darts of the evil one being kindled (against you)” (Literal Translation of the Bible).

I believe that this is not only talking about all the false accusations, offensive words and/or lies that others may say about you, but is also about anything contrary to God’s love for you that may come against you including sickness and disease!  It is referring to any negative situation that you may run into in your daily life!  It’s interesting to note that while all of the other pieces of the armor, except for the sword of the Spirit are stationary, the shield can be maneuvered to protect you from an attack from just about any angle.

This is helpful because you don’t always know where the attack is going to come from.  Albert Barnes in his “Notes on the Bible” comments on this verse that “The fiery darts come from unexpected quarters”  Vincent’s Word Studies states that “Satan attacks by indirection.  Through good things (or people) from which no evil is suspected.”  Through our experiences, I can vividly vouch for the truth of these statements!

The shield of faith quickly separates you from the force of the attack!  In his “Expositions of Holy Scriptures” Alexander MacLaren comments that “My faith is only called a shield because it brings me behind the bosses of the Almighty’s buckler.”  Later on he adds “Faith binds us in deep vital union with Him who has overcome and then all His conquering power comes into us!”  Wow!  Hard to beat that wouldn’t you say!  That is definitely where I want to be, how about you?

It is probably best therefore, that we approach every day with our faith shield up and ready to deflect any negative approach before it can reach us!  What that infers is that we keep up a consciousness of God and His Word, of His love and of His grace.  In other words we don’t just react to situations that occur, but we go in ready to connect with Him and His victorious power.  What a way to live!  And according to the Word this is not a pipe dream but a very possible reality for you and me… Remember Romans 8:37 says, “in all these things we are MORE than CONQUERORS through Him that loved us!”  (KJV)

So go out today and live like a conqueror!  Put up your shield and confidently step out the door.  Have a great day.  Stay in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… “What VICTORY am I expecting today?”