Are you in a battle today? It seems like there is always some kind of battle going on. Sometimes it feels like arrows are coming from all directions. Imagine having a huge shield, and when you stand behind it all of the arrows are deflected. The Bible talks about a huge shield, and it is the shield of faith.
Put on the armour of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil...take up the shield of faith, which can quench all the darts of the evil one. Ephesians 6:10-20
When we are being attacked by disease, hostility, anxiety, depression... it is good to remember that the devil is the enemy behind these attacks. He has no mercy. He wants us to feel defeated and separated from God. The only way to deflect these feelings is through an ongoing relationship and dialog with God. The Word of God and prayer are the biggest weapons we have to keep us from being overwhelmed with darkness. We have never been told in God's Word that we won't be attacked, so be ready!
Faith is being sure of the things hoped for, and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
Faith does not come by going to church once a week and throwing money in the offering plate. We need to get beyond religion and get into a relationship. There is a good amount of people today who say, "I am Presbyterian, I am Catholic..." The truth is, it does not matter in God's Word what denomination you are. Jesus came to call us all out of our pews and be more than a religion. Faith is no good if you don't know how to release it, and you won't know how to release it by falling back on church rituals. Faith comes by an intimate relationship with God, and the knowledge that he can turn all things around for His glory.
The Bible is full of stories of people living out faith. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, it took faith in the unseen to rise above their trials and live in hope that God would do the impossible through any situation. We all have faith that a chair will hold us up, but faith in God to hold us up when given bad news is the most powerful kind of faith you can have. It does not come from being a particular religion, it comes from knowledge of God's promises in His Word.
For me, the darts that come at me are mostly fear driven. When I get a new diagnosis, or facing scans, I take on some darts of fear. Eventually I remember my shield of faith, and the fear is deflected by God's promises of hope and strength. I can't begin to express my gratitude that God wants to be my protector!
If you have darts flying at you, go to God's Word and look up the word "Faith" in your concordance. You will see numerous verses that should encourage you and help you to put on that shield of faith that is your inheritance in knowing Christ as your Savior.
Pastor Jim used a beautiful illustration this past Sunday of what happens when we are stuck on a cliff and can't go back down, and we can't climb up. God sends in a helicoptor and Jesus is lowered down on a line to get you. Your only choice is to let Him grab you and hold on to you and bring you up to safety. His powerful embrace is what keeps you from falling to your death, and He does all the work. Give it all over to Jesus, He is mighty to save!
Shielded by Faith,
Sandy
