Wallet, keys, phone. That’s what I say to myself as I finish dressing, slip my shoes on, and head out the door for the day. Wallet, keys, phone – as long as I have those things, I feel fairly prepared to leave my house. Of course, at this stage in my life, what I need to leave home is vastly different, than say my daughters-in-law who need practically the entire house when they leave with my grandkids! It’s funny to think of the things we need to carry with us prepare us for what we might face in a day.

     As you may remember, we have been looking at what a Christian soldier needs in order to be prepared to fight. We have looked at what Paul lays out for the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-18. Last month, we slipped on the shoes, and now we’re ready to head out the door to battle. As we go, Paul has just a few more tools for us to take up. In verse sixteen, he tells us, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Just as a Roman soldier would have picked up his shield as he walked out of the door for battle, we too are reminded of this very important piece of equipment.

      For the Roman soldier, the shield would have been large – probably between four and five feet tall and two feet wide. This would have allowed him plenty of space to stand or kneel and be well covered as enemy onslaught occurred. The shield would have been able to stop an attack and keep the soldier fighting. How does this compare to a Christian soldier?

      For the Christian, the defense we carry is the “shield of faith.” What is faith? According to Hebrews 1:3, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is our belief, our trust, our assurance, and our hope in God. We must believe that God will take care of us no matter what comes our way in the battle of life. Even faith “as a grain of mustard seed” whose source is in the Lord is enough to do mighty things! (Matthew 17:20) Unbelief leaves us unable to fight, but belief in God’s plan will protect us.

     The shield of faith is our defense to “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Satan and his forces attack us in many different ways. His methods are vast and varied and shockingly particular to each of us. First Peter 5:8-9 gives the warning, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” How do we stop him? Our faith is the first line of defense against his attacks. That intangible part of our salvation – our faith – is the best way we have to resist, stop, and defeat any attack. If you are serving the Lord and striving to bring Him glory, you are going to be attacked, but 1 John 4:4 assures us, “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” God enables us to defend in battle through our faith!

     Please remember to pray for Independent Faith Mission and your missionaries. We are under attack daily and our faith needs to be strong.

     

Hal S. Pope

​IFM Executive Director

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“...he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”  2 Corinthians 9:6