The shield is a piece of armour carried on the hand for protection.
Faith literally is having trust, assurance or confidence in a person or that person's word. By bible's definition of faith in Heb 11.1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (KJV)Faith is what makes real the things we hope for and a proof of what we cannot see. It is an obedient action in response to what God had said. It believes in the unseen
Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. (HCSB)
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)Faith is total reliance on Jesus Christ and the works of God. It is also the total dependence on God and willingness to do his will. It is the medium through which God carries out his assignments through men. Faith is needed to access the prayer room of heaven for answer.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)
You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”Doubt and complain will never prompt heaven to answer your prayers, hence, faith and doubt cannot co-exist. Faith in God does not depend on the physical sense organs. It is the abandoning of your knowledge to acquire God's knowledge. It takes man's face from the natural to the supernatural. The actions of faith do eliminate human efforts / pride.
Matthew 21:22 (NLT)
THE BENEFITS OF FAITH
1. It is through faith the salvation is obtained. "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9 (NLT)2. It establishes the relationship between God and man
3. It draws supernatural things into existence – Daniel 3; Acts 14:8-11
4. It gives you confidence and boldness to confront the devil. You will never be afraid of the enemies because you can trust/believe that He with you is greater than anyone.
5. It makes prayer effective - Matthew 21:22
6. When the gift of faith is exercised, miracles follow suit. Daniel exercised his faith when he was to be thrown into the lion's den, the miracle of the calmness of the lions happened. The three Hebrew boys also put their adamant faith in action; the miracle of not getting burnt in the fiery fire took place. Daniel 3, 6
WHY IS A SHIELD ASSOCIATED WITH FAITH
A shield guards - as a physical shield protects, faith protects your spiritual life even in the middle of trials. Dan 3:16-30. Trials are part of life and it also exist more in the Christian race. Your faith in God will not allow you to be shattered in times of troubles and disappointments. Job still trusted in God despite the terrible fiery trial he had, which made him to overcome his travails.Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. Job 13:15aA shield deflects. As a physical shield deflects arrows and darts, Satan's fiery darts of fear, doubt and worry will not be able to hit and bring you down.
“Lord, if it’s You,” Peter answered Him, “command me to come to You on the water.” “Come!” He said. And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Matthew 14:28-32 (HCSB)Peter's faith could not shoot down the arrow of fear and doubt, he began to sank. The lack of faith of many makes them receptive to the evil arrows of darkness, which later discourages them thinking God cannot save.
HOW TO USE THE FAITH AS A SHIELD
1. When you trust God in all situations whether good or bad. Many Christians have the mentality that when they have God, they will never find themselves in terrible circumstances. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; Psalm 34:19 (NIV). Whereas, it is in times of trouble we can experience more of the awesome wonder-working power of God. When you face challenges, trust him to help you scale through. When it seems there's no hope, trust him, he'll give you hope; he'll make you see the light at the end of the tunnel. When your marriage is in crises, hand over everything to him to handle. When the enemies are threatening you, report them to your God and you'll see how he'll deal with them brutally. It is not bad for the devil to design and launch problems at you but it is worse when you begin to shiver and fear as if God is not on your side.2. You are using your faith as shield when you are steadfast in following him despite the discouragement, challenge or affliction you face. The devil never wants to see a Christian / disciple growing and continue to follow Jesus. He will try all means to see discouraged, it is your faith that will make the devil fail.
3. When you trust in God's word and promises. Many of God's promises are futuristic in nature. It takes the patience of faith to get the promises fulfilled. It is your faith that will keep you company while you wait for the fulfillment of the promise. Abraham is seen today as a father of faith because is trusted God while he waited for the promise to fulfill. God is mostly looking for men who will trust in his words no matter how long it takes to get fulfilled.
For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it testifies about the end and will not lie. Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late. Habakkuk 2:3 (HCSB)
0 Comments
Your comments are always appreciated!