The Shield part 5
We looked at the first time the word "shield" is used in the King James version of the Bible. Now let's look at the last time. "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Ephesians 6:16). That's also the only time the word is used in the New Testament. Which, to me, means something. Powerful. Hopefully we understand by now that God is shield. Love is our shield. So that shield of faith is simply what Jesus said in Mark 11:22, "And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God." We put our faith in Him to protect us. To defend us. To keep us safe from all harm. All those fiery darts of the wicked. We have faith--we believe--that the fire in us is always hotter than the fire we're in. We can stand against anything when we are planted on the Rock. And by "stand against" I mean we can endure anything. We don't have to attack. We can turn the other cheek. We can SURVIVE anything. No weapon formed against us shall prosper. Because, like Captain America, we have the best weapon--we have a shield. And we can use it to defend... and we can throw it. My pastor always says, "If you know it... throw it." Give what you've got. Let what's inside come out. By knowing and believing that it's in there. It's all about faith. About letting God love you and then loving Him back by loving people. Receiving and releasing His love. Filling ourselves to overflowing with what we've already been filled with. Destroying our enemies by making them our friends. I believe love never fails. So if we really love people... whether they like us or not... we can heap fiery coals onto their heads. Not to hurt them, or punish them, but to melt their hearts. Our fiery coals of love trump the fiery darts of the wicked. What some might mean for evil God means for good. He not only defends us, but He turns things to our advantage. All things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. When we operate in love--from a posture of rest--things work out. Because it's all about love. Walking by faith and not by sight is what gets us to where we need to go. Faith in God. Faith in love. Taking up the shield of faith and knowing that we will be ok. No matter what. We will prevail. We will be able to get through what we need to go through in order to get to where we need to be. We don't have to worry about what the world might throw at us. If the world gives you lemons, make lemonade right? And then SHARE that lemonade with the people you're connected to. God has positioned us where we can do the most good. You, specifically, are in a position to love people. That's your calling, and that's your purpose. But you can't give what you don't have. You can only give what you do have. By letting what's inside come out. By letting the LOVE that's inside come out. So don't be afraid of what might come against you. You have a shield. Believe it. Let it defend you. By letting love flow out of you in every and any situation!