“In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
Ephesians 6:16 HCSB
There I was …
Waiting for guidance, waiting for an answer, waiting for the Lord’s voice to come through.
Yet, silence was the only thing I could hear.
The thoughts in my mind becoming louder and louder.
My emotions weighing heavier and heavier.
I couldn’t fix the situation before me.
Lost in the unexpected, I felt shaken.
But no, not this time, not ever.
My faith tells me that God is with me every single moment. He has not left me. He will protect me and my family. Nothing from the enemy will prosper. The Lord will turn what is meant to break me into something good.
Although I am not certain of what is to come, I know I have to pick up my shield of faith and take another step.
I might not be able to hear the Lord’s voice right now or understand exactly how to take that next step, but just as Jesus has before, He will make a way. And as He does, He will strengthen me.
Having an unwavering belief in God’s promises is The Shield of Faith.
How A Strong Shield Of Faith Forms
To think of faith as a shield makes so much sense. A shield is defined as a person or thing providing protection. Also, to shield is to protect from danger or risk.
The Shield of Faith does just that – protect us.
This shield isn’t simply passed along ready for use though. Instead, it develops within us if we are willing to give God our attention and believe in His message of hope.
To further explain, faith is formed through God’s word.
“So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.”
Romans 10:17 HCSB
Knowledge really is power here, because the more you know of God’s word, the more you can declare God’s truth over your life – again and again.
The devil’s purpose is to destroy us, but God’s purpose is to give us new life. So, if you begin to fill yourself with God’s word you will be able to stand strong through any storm.
The word of God literally constructs a shield to safeguard you in certain environments and when having to make decisions.
Jesus gives us a clear picture of how the belief and application of His word keeps us safe.
“I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears My words and acts on them: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well build.”
Luke 6:47 HCSB
When your faith is based in the Lord, nothing the enemy throws at you has the power to take you down. Yes, unbelievable hardships will come and disbelief does occur, but everything God has given you is always there in your core ready to build you up once more.
The Shield Of Faith Grows Over Time
The choice to put aside what we think and instead begin to believe in what the Lord says does take faith.
I did not have the same faith yesterday that I have now, but every level of faith is a shield.
Faith will continue to grow over time if we put our focus on the word.
The Lord teaches and prepares us to be more equipped to handle the stresses of life as we seek Him. We have to then actually apply those teachings in our day-to-day lives, not just in troubling times.
Scripture encourages us to train ourselves and meditate on the word.
“But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness, for the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
1 Timothy 4:7-8 HCSB
“This Book of Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
Joshua 1:8 NKJV
Get to know what God says about you as His child, about the effect of sin and the value of repentance, and then how to treat others. Believe in His promises to you. This will build your Shield of Faith.
“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”
Proverbs 30:5 HCSB
Declare Your Shield Of Faith
I would like to leave with you these beautiful promises of the Lord that you can declare over your life as you begin to increase your faith in 2024. I pray that this year is one of growth and many blessings as you trust in the Lord.
“For it is the Lord your God who goes with you, He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 HCSB
“The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”
Exodus 14:14 NKJV
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.”
John 14:27 NKJV
“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 HCSB
“I am the bread of life. No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again.”
John 6:35 HCSB
“For I know the plans I have for you” – this is the Lord’s declaration – “plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 HCSB
“No weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court. This is the heritage of the Lord’s servants.”
Isaiah 54:17 HCSB
“Again, I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them.”
Matthew 18:19-20 HCSB
“God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 HCSB
“He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might, He increases strength.”
Isaiah 40:29 NKJV
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❤️ Love this blog as we begin 2024. 🙏