"The Shield of Faith"

Country performer Mary Chapin Carpenter sang "sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug." We are more familiar with windshields than shields in today's world, but they both serve a similar purpose. They protect you from oncoming objects while you advance. The shield as a part of military armor allowed the soldier to advance against the enemy while being protected from oncoming deadly objects. In the Bible the shield served as a powerful symbol of God' protecting power.

Our Ephesians text speaks of the shield being used against the flaming arrows of the evil one. The arrow could pierce, wound, or kill while the flaming arrow had the frightening aspect of spreading greater pain and destruction. This is a way of describing the menacing and dangerous attacks of the devil against God's people in spiritual warfare.

The shield of FAITH indicates the Biblical importance of faith. Biblical faith can be defined as more than just belief. It is a firm conviction and a confident trust in the teachings of God's Word. This faith not only can keep us from Satan's snares but also move us forward to spiritual advances in Christian maturity and service. Like the shoes of the readiness of the gospel of peace, this shield is spiritually valuable for both protection and progress. Commentator Albert Barnes noted that this shield, like faith itself, encompasses the whole of the Christian soldier. The shield not only covers the torso and legs but can be raised to protect the head or lowered to protect the feet. Let us pray to our Lord with the Apostles, "Increase our faith." Luke 17:5

See you Sunday!

1. How does God describe Himself to Abraham? Genesis 15:1

2. How does David use the symbol of the shield in his songs? 2 Samuel 22:1-3; Psalm 91:4

3. Besides Ephesians 6:16 where else is a shield mentioned in the New Testament?

4. Genesis 3: 1-5 is the first recorded attack of Satan in the spiritual warfare against humanity. Identify some of the "flaming arrows" Satan launches in this attack.

5. Hebrews 11 has been called the "Hall of Faith." Read this chapter slowly and note the value, characteristics, and examples of biblical faith!

6. Study Ephesians 2:4-10. Can you find Scriptural support for the gospel statement,"By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone"? For extra credit :) find and read Questions 60 and 61 of the Heidelberg Catechism.